537.330. If any person shall maliciously or wantonly damage or destroy any personal property, goods, chattels, furniture or livestock, the person so offending shall pay to the party injured double the value of the things so damaged or destroyed; and upon an affidavit that said damage or destruction was wantonly or maliciously done, it shall be a good ground for an attachment to issue, 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.).
Missouri General Assembly