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§ 562.026 – When Intent Is Not Required in Missouri Criminal Cases

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Posted by Christopher Combs on July 18, 2025

562.026. Culpable mental state, when not required.

Sometimes you don’t need intent or awareness to be guilty.

There are limited cases where a person can be guilty of a crime even without meaning to do it or knowing it was wrong.

1. A mental state is not required if the offense is an infraction and the law doesn’t mention any mental state.

2. For felonies or misdemeanors, a mental state isn’t required if the law doesn’t mention it and adding one would go against the law’s purpose or make the result unfair or silly.

View the full statute here

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