Mo. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 542
Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 542.020 (2026)

Certain officers to preserve peace, issue process

✓ current as of May 2026
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  542.020.  Certain officers to preserve peace, issue process. — The following officers shall have power and jurisdiction to cause to be kept all laws made for the preservation of the public peace, to issue process for the apprehension of persons charged with criminal offenses, and hold them to bail; require persons to give security to keep the peace, and to execute the powers and duties herein conferred in relation thereto: The judges of the supreme court throughout the state; judges of the court of appeals and circuit judges within their respective districts and circuits; associate circuit judges within their respective counties; municipal judges within the limits of their respective municipalities; provided that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to authorize municipal judges to exercise jurisdiction in prosecutions under the laws of this state, other than those instituted under sections 542.020 to 542.140 for surety to keep the peace.

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(RSMo 1939 § 3791, A.L. 1945 p. 839, A.L. 1947 V. I p. 261, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 3401; 1919 § 3746; 1909 § 4954

Effective 1-02-79

CROSS REFERENCE:

Warrants issued by an associate circuit judge need not be sealed, 544.030

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1976–2020 · leading case: Henry Hamilton v. City of Hayti, Missouri, 948 F.3d 921 (8th Cir. 2020).
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Henry Hamilton v. City of Hayti, Missouri, 948 F.3d 921 (8th Cir. 2020). “” Mo. Rev. Stat. § 542.020 . In John Chism Bail Bonds, Inc.”
Matter of Duncan, 541 S.W.2d 564 (Mo. 1976). · cites it 3× “The respondent is correct when he describes himself in his position of magistrate judge as being a conservator of the peace pursuant *570 to section 542.020, RSMo 1969. He goes on to justify his actions on the basis of section 542.”
State v. Wahby, 775 S.W.2d 147 (Mo. 1989). · cites it 2× “As to his contention that the arrest warrant issued by the court of appeals *153 was a void order, section 542.020 authorizes the judges of the court of appeals, among others, to issue process for the apprehension of those charged with criminal offences.”
State v. Henderson, 660 S.W.2d 373 (Mo. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 4× “360 and § 542.020, RSMo. 1969. 3 However, this statutory scheme was significantly altered by enactment of the new Criminal Code, Laws 1977, p.”
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