Alteration or removal of item numbers with intent to deprive lawful owner
This law is about messing with serial numbers or ID marks on items. A person breaks this law if they scratch off, hide, or change a serial number on something — or if they sell, pawn, buy, or have something where the serial number has been messed with — and they do it to cheat the real owner out of their property. If the item or items are worth $750 or more, it is a felony. If worth less than $750, it is a misdemeanor.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
570.085. Alteration or removal of item numbers with intent to lawful owner — penalties. — 1. A person commits the of alteration or removal of item numbers if he or she, with the purpose of depriving the owner of a lawful interest therein:
(1) Destroys, removes, covers, conceals, alters, defaces, or causes to be destroyed, , covered, concealed, altered, or defaced, the 's original serial number or other distinguishing owner-applied number or mark, on any item which bears a serial number attached by the manufacturer or applied by the owner of the item, for any reason whatsoever;
(2) Sells, offers for sale, pawns or uses as for a loan, any item on which the manufacturer's original serial number or other distinguishing owner-applied number or mark has been destroyed, removed, covered, concealed, altered, or defaced; or
(3) Buys, receives as security for a loan or , or in any manner receives or has in his possession any item on which the manufacturer's original serial number or other distinguishing owner-applied number or mark has been destroyed, removed, covered, concealed, altered, or defaced.
2. The offense of alteration or removal of item numbers is a if the value of the item or items is seven hundred fifty dollars or more; otherwise it is a .
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Source & history notes
(L. 1982 H.B. 1454, et al., A.L. 2002 H.B. 1888, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.