Section 3.39 Instigation

• Library: Tort Law 2016

D. (§3.39) Instigation

It is well-settled in Missouri that a person who does not actually confine the plaintiff may nonetheless be held liable for false imprisonment if that person encourages, causes, promotes, or instigates the arrest of another, such as providing information that forms the basis of a subsequent unlawful arrest. See:

· Gibbs v. Blockbuster, Inc., 318 S.W.3d 157, 169 (Mo. App. E.D. 2010)

· Highfill v. Hale, 186 S.W.3d 277, 280 (Mo. banc 2006)

· Rustici v. Weidemeyer, 673 S.W.2d 762, 767 (Mo. banc 1984)

And the plaintiff does not need to prove that the defendant actually ordered or directed the plaintiff’s arrest. Day v. Wells Fargo Guard Serv. Co., 711 S.W.2d 503, 505 (Mo. banc 1986). Instigation may be proven by direct or circumstantial evidence. Troupe v. Superx Drugs Corp., 659 S.W.2d 276, 279 (Mo. App. E.D. 1983). For instance, if a defendant knowingly provides false, incomplete, or misleading information, and an illegal arrest results, it may...