Missouri legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Missouri HB451: Provides that a confession of a child is inadmissible as evidence if the confession was obtained through deception
Status: In committee, May 15, 2025
What the bill says
To amend chapter 211, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to custodial interrogations of children. Section A. Chapter 211, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 211.058, to read as follows: 211.058. 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Custodial interrogation", any interrogation during which a: (a) Reasonable personinthechild'spositionwouldconsiderhimselforherselfto be in custody; and (b) Questionisaskedthatisreasonablylikelytoelicitanincriminatingresponse; (2) "Deception", the knowing communication of false facts about ev.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 211, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to custodial interrogations of children. Section A. Chapter 211, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 211.058, to read as follows: 211.058. 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Custodial interrogation", any interrogation during which a: (a) Reasonable personinthechild'spositionwouldconsiderhimselforherselfto be in custody; and (b) Questionisaskedthatisreasonablylikelytoelicitanincriminatingresponse; (2) "Deception", the knowing communication of false facts about evidence or unauthorized statements regarding leniency by a person involved in a custodial interrogation of a child. 2. Any oral, written,or sign language confession of a child who at the time of the commission of a violation of the juvenile code or the general law was under eighteen years of age made as a result of a custodial interrogation conducted at a place of detentionon orafter August 28,2025,shall beinadmissibleasevidence against thechild if during the custodial interrogation the person involved in the custodial interrogation knowingly engaged in deception. ✔ EXPLANATION -- Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is intended to be omitted from the law. Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.