Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Dec 4, 2023
STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent v. SEBASTIAN A. RUST, Appellant
Sebastian Rust was convicted of misdemeanor nonsupport and sentenced to probation. On appeal, Rust argued that the conviction was not supported by substantial evidence, contending the state failed to prove a legal support obligation and that his indigency constituted good cause for nonpayment. The Southern District of Missouri affirmed the conviction, holding that the state only needed to prove the existence of a civil child support order and its knowing violation, and that indigency for counsel appointment does not, as a matter of law, establish good cause for nonsupport.