2023 Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXX – Domestic Relations Chapter 455 – Abuse — Adults and Children — Shelters and Protective Orders
Missouri Chapter 455: Domestic Abuse & Protective Orders
Chapter 455 of the Missouri Revised Statutes defines how orders of protection work—including who can get one, how long they last, what they include, and what happens if they’re violated. These laws apply in cases of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and threats, and can have major consequences in both criminal and family court.
What Chapter 455 Covers
- Adult and child orders of protection
- Ex parte (emergency) and full protection orders
- Modifying, renewing, or terminating protection orders
- Police response and arrest rules
- Custody, visitation, and support limitations tied to orders
Click any of the links below for a plain-language breakdown of each statute, including eligibility, procedures, court expectations, and what each type of order does or doesn’t do.
Chapter 455 Statutes Explained
- Overview: Chapter 455 – Domestic Abuse & Protective Orders
- § 455.004 – Juvenile Court Records Confidentiality
- § 455.020 – Eligibility for Orders of Protection
- § 455.032 – Jurisdiction If Victim Lives in Missouri
- § 455.035 – Emergency (Ex Parte) Orders
- § 455.040 – Full Orders, Hearings, and Renewals
- § 455.045 – Emergency Orders by Law Enforcement
- § 455.050 – What a Full Order of Protection Can Include
- § 455.060 – Modifying or Ending Orders (Including Child Custody)
- § 455.065 – Maintenance, Custody & Visitation Modification
- § 455.080 – Police Response to Domestic Violence or Stalking
- § 455.085 – Arrest for Violating Protection Orders & Penalties
- § 455.505 – Child Order of Protection
- § 455.516 – Hearings & Renewals for Child Orders
- § 455.520 – Temporary Ex Parte Orders for Children
- § 455.523 – Full Child Protection Order Relief
- § 455.528 – Modifying a Child Protection Order
- § 455.530 – Legal Grounds for Child Order Modification
- § 455.538 – Violating a Child Protection Order
- § 455.543 – Reporting DV-Related Homicide or Suicide
Need Help With a Protection Order in Missouri?
If you’ve been served with an order of protection, Combs Waterkotte can walk you through the process and protect your rights. These orders carry serious legal consequences and can affect your family, your record, and even your freedom. Contact our attorneys today or call (314) 900-HELP for trusted legal help with Missouri protection order cases.
455.010. Definitions.
Explains important words used in Missouri’s domestic violence laws
This section defines key terms used throughout Chapter 455 so people understand what the law means when it talks about abuse, orders of protection, and related issues.
1. “Abuse” includes many harmful or threatening actions against someone who may be protected by this law, such as:
- Abusing a pet: Hurting or threatening to hurt a pet to scare or control someone
- Assault: Making someone afraid they’ll be hurt
- Battery: Physically hurting someone on purpose
- Coercion: Forcing someone to do or not do something by threat or force
- Harassment: Repeated behavior that causes fear or distress, like following someone or peeking in their windows
- Sexual assault: Forcing or trying to force someone into a sexual act
- Unlawful imprisonment: Holding or detaining someone against their will
2. “Adult” means someone 17 or older or legally emancipated.
3. “Child” means someone under 17 unless emancipated.
4. “Court” refers to a circuit judge, associate circuit judge, or family court commissioner.
5. “Domestic violence” means abuse or stalking by a family or household member.
6. “Ex parte order of protection” is a temporary order made before the accused has a chance to respond.
7. “Family or household member” includes spouses (current or former), relatives, roommates (past or present), romantic partners, and people who share a child—even if they never lived together or married.
8. “Full order of protection” is a longer-term order given after a hearing where both sides get to speak.
9. “Order of protection” means either an ex parte or full order.
10. “Pending” means something has been filed or has a court date set.
11. “Pet” is any animal kept for companionship—not business—by someone in the household.
12. “Petitioner” is the person asking for protection, either for themselves or a child.
13. “Respondent” is the person accused of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
14. “Sexual assault” refers back to the definition in item 1(f).
15. “Stalking” means someone repeatedly does things that make another person fear for their safety.
- Alarm: Fear of being physically harmed
- Course of conduct: Two or more acts—like following, watching, or threatening—that serve no good purpose
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
