563.061. Use of force by persons with responsibility for care, discipline or safety of others.
Some people are allowed to use reasonable force to care for or protect others.
Missouri law allows certain people—like parents, teachers, medical professionals, or guards—to use physical force when needed to protect, supervise, or care for others. But the force must be reasonable and not intended to seriously hurt someone.
1. Someone like a parent, guardian, teacher, or caretaker can use physical force on a child or someone who can’t care for themselves if:
- They honestly believe it’s necessary to help the person, meet a special responsibility, or keep order (like in a classroom); and
- The force isn’t meant to cause—and isn’t likely to cause—serious harm, extreme pain, disfigurement, or severe emotional trauma.
2. Jail and prison officials can use force—including deadly force—if it’s legally allowed and needed to keep order or discipline inside the facility.
3. Someone in charge of a vehicle (like a bus or train) can use physical force to stop someone from disrupting things or threatening safety. Deadly force is only allowed if they reasonably believe it’s the only way to prevent death or serious injury.
4. A doctor or someone helping them can use physical force during medical care if:
- They believe the treatment helps the person’s physical or mental health; and
- The patient—or someone legally allowed to speak for them—has agreed to the treatment. If it’s an emergency and no one can be reached, they can act if a reasonable person would agree it’s necessary.
5. A person can use physical force to stop someone from committing suicide or seriously hurting themselves—if they truly believe the force is needed to prevent it.
6. If someone is using this law to explain why their actions were legal, they need to say so during their court case.
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