A guard or law enforcement officer can use physical force to stop someone from escaping from jail or while being transported. The officer can only use deadly force if they truly believe the escaping person is very likely to seriously hurt or kill someone if not stopped. If someone is charged with a crime and wants to use this law as a defense, that person has to be the one to bring it up in court.
563.056. Use of force to prevent escape from . — 1. A guard or other may, subject to the of 2 of this section, use physical force when he reasonably believes such to be immediately necessary to prevent escape from confinement or or therefrom.
2. A guard or other law enforcement officer may use under circumstances described in subsection 1 of this section only:
(1) When such use of deadly force is under other sections of this chapter; or
(2) When he or she reasonably believes there is a substantial risk that the endanger human life or cause unless the escape is prevented.
3. The shall have the of under this section.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1983 H.B. 713 Revision, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Related Missouri laws
Private person's use of force in making an arrest
RSMo 563.051
Use of force by persons with responsibility for care, discipline or safety of others
RSMo 563.061
Law enforcement officer's use of force in making an arrest
RSMo 563.046
Cancellation or nonrenewal
RSMo 563.070
Use of physical force in defense of property
RSMo 563.041
Justification as an absolute defense, when
RSMo 563.074
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.