Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 563.021 (2026)

Execution of public duty

✓ current as of May 2026

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563.021. Execution of public duty. — 1. Unless inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter defining the justifiable use of physical force, or with some other provision of law, conduct which would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal when such conduct is required or authorized by a statutory provision or by a judicial decree. Among the kinds of such provisions and decrees are:

(1) Laws defining duties and functions of public servants;

(2) Laws defining duties of private persons to assist public servants in the performance of their functions;

(3) Laws governing the execution of legal process;

(4) Laws governing the military services and the conduct of war;

(5) Judgments and orders of courts.

2. The defense of justification afforded by subsection 1 of this section applies:

(1) When a person reasonably believes his or her conduct to be required or authorized by the judgment or directions of a competent court or tribunal or in the legal execution of legal process, notwithstanding lack of jurisdiction of the court or defect in the legal process;

(2) When a person reasonably believes his or her conduct to be required or authorized to assist a public servant in the performance of his or her duties, notwithstanding that the public servant exceeded his or her legal authority.

3. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue of justification under this section.

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(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491)

Effective 1-01-17

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1986–2014 · leading case: State v. Beck, 167 S.W.3d 767 (Mo. Ct. App. 2005).

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State v. Beck, 167 S.W.3d 767 (Mo. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “Section 563.021 applies in cases of conduct required or authorized by statute or judicial decree.”

State v. Diener, 706 S.W.2d 582 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 3× “We note initially that defendant’s reliance on § 563.021, RSMo.1978, (execution of public duty) is misplaced.”

State of Missouri v. Christopher Eric Hunt (Mo. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “” Defendant also contends Instruction C was supported by Section 563.021, which states: “Unless inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter defining the justifiable use of physical force, or with some other provision of law, conduct which would otherwise constitute an…”

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