A number of arrests are initiated by a 911 call. Such calls can provide useful evidence for the prosecutor and the criminal defendant.

In many criminal cases, the most important piece of evidence isn’t found in a police report written hours later—it is captured in the heat of the moment on a 911 call recording.

911 audio provides an objective, “real-time” account of an incident before memories fade or stories are changed. It can also identify witnesses that might not be in an incident report. It can also be the key to proving self-defense, identifying witness inconsistencies, or establishing the exact timeline of an event.

A Critical Example: Missouri’s Good Samaritan Law

One of the most vital uses for 911 audio involves medical emergencies. Missouri has a specific “Good Samaritan Law” (RSMo § 195.205) designed to save lives by encouraging people to seek help during a drug or alcohol overdose without fear of arrest.

Under this law, if you call 911 in good faith to seek medical assistance for an overdose, you and the person experiencing the emergency are generally protected from being charged or prosecuted for:

• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Probation or parole violations related to these drug offenses

Why the Audio Matters

The protections of this law depend entirely on why the call was made and what was said. The 911 audio is the primary evidence we use to prove that someone was worried about you or others and “actively seeking medical assistance” in good faith. Without that recording, it becomes your word against the officer’s regarding the reason for their arrival at the scene.

Here is an example of a redacted/truncated non-good Samaritan 911 call – click here.