Missouri Chapter 562: General Principles of Criminal Liability
Chapter 562 of the Missouri Revised Statutes sets the foundation for how criminal liability works in this state. It defines core legal concepts like voluntary acts, mental state (intent), attempts, conspiracy, and accountability. These principles apply across nearly every criminal case—whether it’s a DWI, assault, theft, or drug charge. Understanding this chapter is key to building or challenging the prosecution’s case.
What Chapter 562 Covers
- When a person can be held criminally responsible
- Attempt, conspiracy, and complicity
- The role of mental state (intent, recklessness, negligence)
- Defenses like duress, entrapment, or mental incapacity
- What happens when co-defendants aren’t charged
Below are the Missouri laws from Chapter 562 that we’ve explained in plain language. Click on any statute to learn what it means, how it’s used, and how it may affect your case.
Chapter 562 Statutes Explained
- § 562.011 – Voluntary Acts and Criminal Liability
- § 562.012 – Attempted Crime Liability
- § 562.014 – Criminal Conspiracy
- § 562.016 – Culpable Mental State (Intent, Knowledge, etc.)
- § 562.021 – How Mental State Applies to Crimes
- § 562.026 – Crimes That Don’t Require Mental State
- § 562.031 – Ignorance or Mistake of Fact or Law
- § 562.036 – Accountability for Another Person’s Conduct
- § 562.041 – Acting with or Helping Another in a Crime
- § 562.046 – When Defenses Are Not Allowed
- § 562.046.2 – No Defense if Others Aren’t Charged
- § 562.051 – Conviction of Lesser or Different Degrees
- § 562.066 – Entrapment Defense
- § 562.071 – Duress Defense
- § 562.076 – Intoxication or Drugged Condition
- § 562.086 – Mental Disease or Defect Defense
Facing Criminal Charges in Missouri?
If you’re being charged with a crime in Missouri, the prosecution has to prove more than just what happened—they must also prove intent, responsibility, and that no valid defense applies. Combs Waterkotte understands these underlying legal principles and how to use them to your advantage. Contact us online today or call (314) 900-HELP for a free consultation with an experienced Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
