For some crimes, a person does not have to mean to do something wrong to be guilty. This applies when the offense is a minor infraction and the law does not say anything about intent, or when the offense is a more serious crime and requiring proof of intent would go against the point of the law or lead to a result that makes no sense.
562.026. , when not required. — A culpable mental state is not required:
(1) If the is an and no culpable mental state is prescribed by the defining the offense; or
(2) If the offense is a or and no culpable mental state is prescribed by the statute defining the offense, and of a culpable mental state to the offense is clearly inconsistent with the purpose of the statute defining the offense or may lead to an absurd or unjust result.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1997 S.B. 89)
Related Missouri laws
Culpable mental state, application
RSMo 562.021
Ignorance and mistake
RSMo 562.031
Culpable mental state
RSMo 562.016
Accountability for conduct
RSMo 562.036
Conspiracy, offense of
RSMo 562.014
Attempt
RSMo 562.012
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.