537.330. Malicious trespass--to personalty--double damages--issuance of attachment, when. - Missouri Statutes

Malicious trespass--to personalty--double damages--issuance ofattachment, when.

537.330. If any person shall maliciously or wantonly damageor destroy any personal property, goods, chattels, furniture orlivestock, the person so offending shall pay to the party injureddouble the value of the things so damaged or destroyed; and uponan affidavit that said damage or destruction was wantonly ormaliciously done, it shall be a good ground for an attachment toissue, as in other cases by attachment.

(RSMo 1939 § 3688)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 3298; 1919 § 4249; 1909 § 5455

(1973) Section 537.330 did not abrogate the common law right of punitive damages. State ex rel. Smith v. Greene (Mo.), 494 S.W.2d 55.

(2000) Section applies to both tangible and intangible personal property, and includes delivery and distribution routes held by independent contract carriers for newspaper chain. Weicht v. Suburban Newspapers of Greater St. Louis, Inc., 32 S.W.3d 592 (Mo.App.E.D.).