CAN I BE CHARGED WITH A CRIME FOR SELF DEFENSE IN MISSOURI?

CRIME

Missouri is known for its strong self-defense laws—but that doesn’t mean you’re automatically protected from legal trouble. Many clients ask us:

“Can I be charged with a crime even if I was defending myself?”

The answer is yes. Even if you acted in self-defense, you can still be arrested, charged, and forced to prove your actions were legally justified.

At KC Defense Counsel, our experienced Kansas City criminal defense attorneys near you have successfully defended Kansas City clients who were charged with assault or even homicide after acting in what they believed was self-defense. Here’s what you need to know about Missouri’s laws and your rights.

MISSOURI’S SELF-DEFENSE LAWS

Missouri law allows you to use reasonable physical force to defend yourself or others from unlawful force. In some situations, deadly force may also be legally justified.

Under Missouri Revised Statute 563.031, self-defense is allowed if:

  • You reasonably believed that force was necessary to protect yourself
  • You were not the initial aggressor
  • You were not engaged in unlawful activity at the time
  • The force used was proportionate to the threat

These laws are powerful, but not absolute. Whether your actions are seen as self-defense or a criminal offense often depends on the details and how your attorney presents them.

THE CASTLE DOCTRINE AND STAND YOUR GROUND

Missouri has two key legal protections:

  1. Castle Doctrine:

You do not have a duty to retreat when defending yourself in your home, vehicle, or property. If someone unlawfully enters your space, you may be justified in using deadly force.

  1. Stand Your Ground: You also do not have to retreat in public, as long as you’re:
  • In a place you have a legal right to be
  • Not the aggressor
  • Facing a legitimate threat of death or serious injury

Still, these laws don’t give you a license to fight or escalate violence—and police may still arrest you if they believe your actions weren’t justified.

WHEN SELF-DEFENSE CLAIMS GO WRONG

You can still be charged with a crime if:

  • Police believe you started the altercation
  • The force used was seen as excessive
  • There are conflicting witness accounts
  • A weapon was used in a way that appeared aggressive rather than defensive
  • The other person had no visible weapon or threat

In these cases, prosecutors may charge you with:

  • Assault
  • Unlawful use of a weapon
  • Voluntary manslaughter or murder in extreme cases

That’s why hiring an experienced Kansas City criminal defense attorney is critical. Your freedom may depend on how your side of the story is told.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU CLAIM SELF DEFENSE?

If you’re charged, your attorney can raise self-defense as an affirmative defense, meaning you admit you used force, but argue it was legally justified.

At KC Defense Counsel, we:

  • Collect evidence supporting your version of events
  • Interview witnesses
  • Review surveillance footage (or police body cam footage)
  • Challenge the prosecution’s narrative
  • Present your self-defense claim clearly and legally

We also work to prevent charges altogether by intervening early, when possible, before the case even reaches a courtroom.

CHARGED AFTER DEFENDING YOURSELF? CALL KC DEFENSE COUNSEL TODAY

If you’ve been arrested after defending yourself or someone else, you need an experienced Kansas City criminal defense lawyer near you immediately. Contact KC Defense Counsel for a free and confidential case evaluation.

We’ll protect your rights, build your defense, and help you prove you acted within the law.

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