# Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.016: 491.016 Otherwise inadmissible witness statement admissible in criminal proceeding, ..

> Missouri · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.016

## Section

- **Citation:** Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.016
- **Heading:** 491.016 Otherwise inadmissible witness statement admissible in criminal proceeding, ..
- **Jurisdiction:** Missouri
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MO Code / Chapter 491 / Section 491.016

## Text

491.016. Otherwise inadmissible witness statement admissible in criminal proceeding, when. — 1. A statement made by a witness that is not otherwise admissible is admissible in evidence in a criminal proceeding as substantive evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted if, after a hearing, the court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that:

(1) The defendant engaged in or acquiesced to wrongdoing with the purpose of causing the unavailability of the witness;

(2) The wrongdoing in which the defendant engaged or acquiesced has caused or substantially contributed to cause the unavailability of the witness;

(3) The state exercised due diligence to secure by subpoena or other means the attendance of the witness at the proceeding, or the witness is unavailable because the defendant caused or acquiesced in the death of the witness; and

(4) The witness fails to appear at the proceeding.

2. In a jury trial, the hearing and finding to determine the admissibility of the statement shall be held and found outside the presence of the jury and before the case is submitted to the jury.

(L. 2021 S.B. 53 & 60)

## Nearby sections

- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.010 491.010 Witness's interest does not disqualify — exception — statements of deceased ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.010.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.015 491.015 Victim or witness in certain cases not to be interrogated as to prior ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.015.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.016 491.016 Otherwise inadmissible witness statement admissible in criminal proceeding, ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.016.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.030 491.030 Adverse party may be compelled to testify in civil cases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.030.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.040 491.040 Sections 491.010 and 491.030 construed.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.040.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.050 491.050 Convicts competent witnesses — convictions and certain pleas may be proved ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.050.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.060 491.060 Persons incompetent to testify — exceptions, children in certain cases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.060.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.065 491.065 Informants, disclosure requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.065.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.070 491.070 Cross-examination of witnesses — scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.070.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.074 491.074 Prior inconsistent statement may be admissible in criminal cases as ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.074.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.075 491.075 Statement of child under eighteen or vulnerable person admissible, when.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.075.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.078 491.078 Juvenile court adjudication, use to affect credibility — sexual offense ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.078.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.080 491.080 Testimony of witness not to be used to convict him of fraud.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.080.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.090 491.090 Summons of witnesses — procedure — consequences of failure to appear.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.090.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C491_S491.016. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.