Image

§ 565.010 RSMo – When Consent Is a Legal Defense in Missouri

Verified Content

Posted by Christopher Combs on July 21, 2025

565.010. Consent as a defense.

Consent can be a defense, but only in limited situations

1. If someone is charged with a crime because they caused or threatened physical harm, they can only use the other person’s consent as a defense if one of these is true:

  • (1) The injury wasn’t serious; or
  • (2) The risk of harm was a normal and expected part of:
    • (a) The victim’s job; or
    • (b) A legal sport or athletic activity both people agreed to; or
  • (3) The consent counts as a legal reason for the action under Missouri’s self-defense or justification laws (chapter 563).

2. The person being charged is responsible for raising the issue of consent in their defense.

View the full statute here

Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.

Open Video
Image

Featured Results:

Client Review, DUI Case

Play video
Image

Get In Touch:

St. Louis

Main Office

(314) 900-HELP

Get Directions

Clayton

By Appointment Only

(314) 900-HELP

Get Directions

Kansas City

By Appointment Only

(913) 77-CRIME

Get Directions