(a) A public servant, in his public capacity or under color of his office or employment, commits the crime of misconduct in administration of justice if:

    (1)    He is charged with the custody of any person accused or convicted of any crime or municipal ordinance violation and he coerces, threatens, abuses or strikes such person for the purpose of securing a confession from him;

    (2)    He knowingly seizes or levies upon any property or dispossesses anyone of any lands or tenements without due and legal process, or other lawful authority;

    (3)    He is a judge and knowingly accepts a plea of guilty from any person charged with a violation of a statute or ordinance at any place other than at the place provided by law for holding court by such judge;

    (4)    He is a jailer or keeper of a county jail and knowingly refuses to receive, in the jail under his charge, any person lawfully committed to such jail on any criminal charge or criminal conviction by any court of this state, or on any warrant and commitment or capias on any criminal charge issued by any court of this state;

    (5)    He is a law enforcement officer and violates the provisions of Section 544.170 RSMo., by knowingly:

        a.    Refusing to release any person in custody who is entitled to such release; or

        b.    Refusing to permit a person in custody to see and consult with counsel or other persons; or

        c.    Transferring any person in custody to the custody or control of another, or to another place, for the purposes of avoiding the provisions of that section; or

        d.    Preferring against any person in custody a false charge for the purpose of avoiding the provisions of that section.

    (b) Misconduct in the administration of justice is a class A misdemeanor.

(Code 1964, § 7.990)

     State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, RSMo. § 575.320.