Filing a false elder abuse or neglect report
It is against the law to file a false report of elder abuse or neglect on purpose. The first time someone does this, it is a class A misdemeanor. If they have done it before and been found guilty, it becomes a class E felony. A judge — not the jury — decides if the person has a past guilty finding for false reporting.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
565.189. a false or report — . — 1. A person commits the of filing a false elder abuse or neglect report if he or she files a false report of elder abuse or neglect.
2. The offense of filing a false elder abuse or neglect report is a , unless the person has previously been of making a false report to the and is subsequently found guilty of making a false report under this section, in which case it is a .
3. Evidence of of false reporting shall be heard by the court, out of the of the jury, prior to the of the case to the jury, and the court shall determine the existence of the prior findings of guilt.
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Source & history notes
(L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.