When Police Are Called To A House
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 455.085 — arrest whether or not in the officer's presence, and a second call within twelve hours
Without being present. On probable cause of abuse against a family or household member, an officer may arrest the offending party whether or not the violation occurred in the officer's presence. An officer who declines writes a report giving the reason no arrest was made.
The second call. An officer called back to the same address within a twelve-hour period who finds probable cause that the same offender again committed abuse arrests the offender. The victim's refusal to sign a complaint does not prevent an arrest.
Orders. An officer arrests a party who, with notice of a protective order, committed an act of abuse in violation of it, whether or not in the officer's presence.
The offenses themselves, protective orders, and release conditions are set out in other sections that are not on this page. What happens in a particular case is a question for a licensed Missouri attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 455.085 — Arrest for abuse and for violating a protective order
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Missouri attorney.