Cal. Civ. Code § 407.095
Order by attorney general prohibiting unlawful acts — procedure — expiration of order — penalty for violation
Operative Text
1. Whenever it appears to the attorney general that a person has engaged in, is engaging in or is about to engage in any method, act, use, practice or solicitation declared to be unlawful by any provision of this chapter, he may issue and cause to be served upon such person, and any other person or persons concerned with or who, in any way, have participated, are participating or are about to participate in such unlawful method, act, use, practice or solicitation, an order prohibiting such person or persons from engaging or continuing to engage in such unlawful method, act, use, practice or solicitation. Such order shall not be issued until the attorney general has notified each person who will be subject to such order of the statutory section which such person is alleged to have violated, be violating or be about to violate, and the nature of the method, act, use, practice or solicitation which is the basis of such alleged violation. The person to whom such notice is given shall have two business days from the receipt of such notice to file an answer to such notice with the attorney general before the order authorized by this subsection may be issued. 2. All orders issued by the attorney general under subsection 1 of this section shall be signed by the attorney general or, in the event of his absence, his duly authorized representative, and shall be served in the manner provided in section 407.040, for the service of civil investigative demands and shall expire of their own force ten days after being served. 3. Any person who has been duly served with an order issued under subsection 1 of this section and who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of such order while such order remains in effect, either as originally issued or as modified, is guilty of a class E felony. The attorney general shall have original jurisdiction to commence all criminal actions necessary to enforce this section.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 407.095, the Missouri Attorney General has authority to issue a cease-and-desist-style order against any person believed to be engaging in, or about to engage in, conduct declared unlawful under the state's consumer protection chapter. Before such an order takes effect, the subject must receive written notice identifying the alleged violation and has two business days to respond. The order, once issued, is valid for ten days; willfully violating it while it remains in effect constitutes a class E felony under Missouri law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Missouri should be aware that § 407.095 empowers the Attorney General to act swiftly—sometimes before a formal lawsuit—when unlawful practices are suspected. Operators who receive a notice under this provision generally have only two business days to submit a written answer before an order may issue, making prompt attention to any such communication essential. Maintaining clear records of rental practices and responding immediately to any Attorney General correspondence are hallmarks of compliant operation under this framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Missouri tenants who believe a landlord is engaging in unlawful practices covered by the state's consumer protection statutes may find § 407.095 relevant, because it gives the Attorney General independent authority to issue orders stopping such conduct without waiting for a court judgment. Tenants can report suspected violations to the Missouri Attorney General's office, which has original jurisdiction to pursue criminal enforcement if an order is willfully ignored. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider can help tenants understand whether the conduct they have experienced falls within the scope of this chapter.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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