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Self-Defense & Justification
RSMo 563.074effective 28 Aug 2007

Justification as an absolute defense, when

In plain English

If someone uses force that is allowed under Missouri's self-defense and protection laws, they cannot be charged with a crime or sued in court for it. If someone does get sued anyway and wins because of this defense, the court will make the person who sued them pay for their lawyer fees and other costs.

Word-for-word law

563.074. as an , when. — 1. the of section 563.016, a person who uses force as described in sections 563.031, 563.041, 563.046, 563.051, 563.056, and 563.061 is in using such force and such fact shall be an absolute defense to or .

2. The court shall , , and all reasonable expenses incurred by the in of any brought by a if the court finds that the defendant has an absolute defense as provided in 1 of this section.

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Source & history notes

(L. 2007 S.B. 62 & 41)

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Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.

RSMo 563.074: Justification as an absolute defense, when | KnowMo Laws