This law says that a person does not do anything wrong by damaging or using someone else's property if that person honestly believes the property is rightfully theirs. However, the person accused has to be the one to bring up this 'claim of right' defense in court. Also, a renter who purposely destroys or damages the place they are renting cannot use this defense.
569.130. . — 1. A person does not commit an by damaging, with, operating, riding in or upon, or making connection with property of another if he or she does so under a claim of right and has to believe he or she has such a right.
2. The shall have the of claim of right.
3. No person who, as a , destroys, , , impairs, or removes any part of a leased structure or , or the facilities, equipment, or thereof, may inject the of claim of right.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1410 merged with S.B. 655)
Related Missouri laws
Prohibited acts
RSMo 569.132
Unlawfully entering or defacing a cave or cavern
RSMo 569.135
Polluting cave or subsurface waters
RSMo 569.137
Property damage in the second degree
RSMo 569.120
Trespass in the first degree
RSMo 569.140
Unauthorized possession of certain copper, brass, aluminum, fiber or telecommunications material
RSMo 569.119
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.