# Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.050: 546.050 Misdemeanors may be tried by court

> Missouri · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.050

## Section

- **Citation:** Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.050
- **Heading:** 546.050 Misdemeanors may be tried by court
- **Jurisdiction:** Missouri
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MO Code / Chapter 546 / Section 546.050

## Text

546.050. Misdemeanors may be tried by court. — But the defendant and prosecuting attorney, with the assent of the court, may submit the trial of misdemeanors to the court, whose finding in all such offenses shall have the force and effect of the verdict of a jury.

(RSMo 1939 § 4052) Prior revisions: 1929 § 3663; 1919 § 4006; 1909 § 5213 (1953) On appeal, in misdemeanor trial where jury was waived, the finding of the court on the merits must be allowed to stand if supported by substantial evidence. State v. Sargent, 241 A. 1085, 256 S.W.2d 265. (1953) In usury prosecution, where jury is waived and requested declarations of law state correct principles and there is substantial evidence on which to base them, and they are seasonably offered, it is error to refuse to give them. State v. Sargent, 241 A. 1085, 256 S.W.2d 265. (1962) Where defendant in a misdemeanor case is present and represented by counsel, and there is no request for a jury, his consent to be tried by the court is presumed. State v. Belleville (A.), 362 S.W.2d 77.

## Nearby sections

- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.010 546.010 Proceedings upon information, how conducted.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.010.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.020 546.020 Plea of not guilty, not formally tendered.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.020.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.030 546.030 Prisoner must be present in court, when.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.030.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.040 546.040 Issues of fact to be tried by jury.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.040.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.050 546.050 Misdemeanors may be tried by court.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.050.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.060 546.060 Practice in civil case to apply, when.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.060.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.070 546.070 Order of trial — instructions, requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.070.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.080 546.080 Variance between charge and proof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.080.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.090 546.090 Court may amend record, when — clerk to certify corrections.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.090.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.095 546.095 Offense not cognizable before associate circuit judge — procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.095.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.250 546.250 Person injured may testify.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.250.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.260 546.260 Defendant may testify in own behalf — spouse may testify for husband or ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.260.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.262 546.262 Domestic assault, victim and victim's family not to be compelled to testify ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.262.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.263 546.263 Domestic assault, victim may testify by video conference — local court rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.263.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C546_S546.050. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.