Missouri Criminal Laws: Felony and Misdemeanor Classes, Theft, Self-Defense and Bail
Missouri criminal law basics: felony and misdemeanor classes and penalties, the felony theft amount, stand your ground and castle doctrine, statutes of limitations, bail and public defenders, from state statutes.
Quick answers for Missouri
- How much theft is a felony
- Stealing is a class D felony when 'the value of the property or services appropriated is seven hundred fifty dollars or more' (§ 570.030.5(1)), and a class C felony when the value 'is twenty-five thousand dollars or more' or the property is a teller machine or its contents (§ 570.030.4). RSMo § 570.030
- Stand your ground / duty to retreat
- Missouri has a stand-your-ground rule. A person does not have a duty to retreat from a dwelling, residence or vehicle where the person is not unlawfully entering or unlawfully remaining, from private property owned or leased by the individual, or 'If the person is in any other location… RSMo § 563.031
- Criminal statutes of limitations
- No limit: murder, rape in the first degree, forcible rape, sodomy in the first degree, forcible sodomy, attempts to commit any of these, and any class A felony may be prosecuted at any time (§ 556.036.1); RSMo §§ 556.036, 556.037
- Marijuana possession
- Adult-use marijuana is legal under Article XIV, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution (adopted November 8, 2022). Mo. Const. art. XIV, § 2
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Felonies, misdemeanors and theft
| Felony classes and maximum sentences | Felonies are graded Class A through E (§ 558.011.1, version in effect 8/28/2021 to 1/1/2028): Class A — a term of years not less than ten years and not to exceed thirty years, or life imprisonment; Class B — not less than five years and not to exceed fifteen years; Class C — not less than three years and not to exceed ten years; Class D — a term of years not to exceed seven years; Class E — not to exceed four years. Fines: a class C, D or E felony may carry a fine not exceeding $10,000 (§ 558.002); the fine section does not list a fine for class A or B felonies. Where the person gained money or property, a fine of up to double the gain may be imposed instead. A 2026 amendment (H.B. 2637 & 3155) changes § 558.011 effective January 1, 2028 (adds parole-eligibility percentages; the listed terms are unchanged in that version). Fines: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002 Source: RSMo §§ 558.002, 558.011 |
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| Misdemeanor classes and maximum penalties | Class A misdemeanor — a term not to exceed one year and a fine not exceeding $2,000; Class B — not to exceed six months and $1,000; Class C — not to exceed fifteen days and $750; Class D misdemeanor — fine not exceeding $500 (no jail term is listed in § 558.011). Infraction — fine not exceeding $400. Jail terms: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=558.011&bid=50128 Source: RSMo §§ 558.002, 558.011 |
| How much theft is a felony | Stealing is a class D felony when 'the value of the property or services appropriated is seven hundred fifty dollars or more' (§ 570.030.5(1)), and a class C felony when the value 'is twenty-five thousand dollars or more' or the property is a teller machine or its contents (§ 570.030.4). Some property is a felony regardless of value — e.g., an animal or a catalytic converter is a class E felony (§ 570.030.6); livestock valued over $10,000 is a class B felony; listed anhydrous ammonia property is a class A felony. Stealing is a class D misdemeanor for unlisted property under $150 with no prior stealing-related findings of guilt, and otherwise a class A misdemeanor if no other penalty is specified (§ 570.030.7-.8). Source: RSMo § 570.030 |
Self-defense
| Stand your ground / duty to retreat | Missouri has a stand-your-ground rule. A person does not have a duty to retreat from a dwelling, residence or vehicle where the person is not unlawfully entering or unlawfully remaining, from private property owned or leased by the individual, or 'If the person is in any other location such person has the right to be' (§ 563.031.3). Deadly force is permitted when the person reasonably believes it is necessary to protect himself or herself, her unborn child, or another against death, serious physical injury, or any forcible felony (§ 563.031.2(1)). The defendant has the burden of injecting the issue of justification (§ 563.031.5). Current version effective October 14, 2016 (S.B. 656, veto overridden September 14, 2016). Source: RSMo § 563.031 |
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| Castle doctrine (defending your home) | Deadly force may be used against a person who unlawfully enters, remains after unlawfully entering, or attempts to unlawfully enter a dwelling, residence, or vehicle lawfully occupied by the person; and against a person who unlawfully enters or attempts to enter private property owned or leased by an individual, or occupied by an individual with the owner's authority (§ 563.031.2(2)-(3)). When a defendant claims the dwelling/residence/vehicle justification, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not reasonably believe the use of force was necessary (§ 563.031.5). Immunity: a person who uses force as described in §§ 563.031 to 563.061 'is justified in using such force and such fact shall be an absolute defense to criminal prosecution or civil liability'; in a civil action where the court finds this defense applies, the court shall award the defendant attorney's fees, court costs and all reasonable expenses (§ 563.074). Immunity: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=563.074 Source: RSMo §§ 563.031, 563.074 |
Charges, bail and your lawyer
| Criminal statutes of limitations | No limit: murder, rape in the first degree, forcible rape, sodomy in the first degree, forcible sodomy, attempts to commit any of these, and any class A felony may be prosecuted at any time (§ 556.036.1); prosecutions for unlawful sexual offenses involving a person eighteen years of age or under may be commenced at any time (§ 556.037). Otherwise: felonies — three years; misdemeanors — one year; infractions — six months; five years for a class B felony under § 569.040 or offenses under §§ 569.050 or 569.055 (§ 556.036.2). Extensions apply for fraud or breach of fiduciary duty, misconduct in office, and certain child support claims (§ 556.036.3). Minor victims: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=556.037 Source: RSMo §§ 556.036, 556.037 |
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| Bail and pretrial release | 'That all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses, when the proof is evident or the presumption great' (Mo. Const. art. I, § 20). By statute, a person charged with a bailable offense may be released on personal recognizance unless the judge finds that release will not reasonably assure the person's appearance; the judge may then impose conditions such as supervised custody, travel or association limits, a bail bond or cash deposit, reporting, or house arrest with electronic monitoring (§ 544.455.1). The judge considers the nature of the offense, the weight of the evidence, family ties, employment, financial resources, character and mental condition, length of residence, criminal record, and record of court appearances (§ 544.455.2). Conditions are reviewed for a person still detained after 24 hours because the person cannot meet them. Constitution: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++20&constit=y |
| Right to a public defender | The state public defender system represents eligible indigent persons. Eligibility is determined by the state public defender (or a person working under the defender) based on the person's 'ability to make bond, his income and the number of persons dependent on him for support.' A person claiming indigency files an affidavit with the court containing the information the public defender commission requires; either party may ask the court where the case is pending to decide whether the public defender may represent the defendant. Knowingly making a false affidavit to obtain services is a class A misdemeanor. The section does not set an application fee. Source: RSMo § 600.086 |
Other common questions
| Age of consent | Statutory rape in the first degree: sexual intercourse with 'another person who is less than fourteen years of age' (§ 566.032; life or not less than ten years). Statutory rape in the second degree: a person 'twenty-one years of age or older' who has sexual intercourse with 'another person who is less than seventeen years of age' (§ 566.034; class D felony). Under 14, it is no defense that the defendant believed the child was older, and consent is not a defense; where the victim must be under 17, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant reasonably believed the child was seventeen or older (§ 566.020). Other sections: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=566.032 ; https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=566.020 |
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| Marijuana possession | Adult-use marijuana is legal under Article XIV, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution (adopted November 8, 2022). Persons 21 or older may possess 'three ounces or less of dried, unprocessed marijuana, or its equivalent' (§ 10.1(a)); registered adults may cultivate up to six flowering plants, six nonflowering plants, and six clones at a private residence in a locked space (§ 10.1(b)). Possessing more than the limit but not more than twice the limit: first violation — civil infraction, civil penalty not exceeding $250 and forfeiture; second — civil penalty not exceeding $500; third or subsequent — misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 (§ 10.6). Smoking in a public place outside a licensed area — civil penalty not exceeding $100 (§ 10.4). Source: Mo. Const. art. XIV, § 2 |
Assault, battery and domestic violence
| Assault | Missouri grades assault in four degrees. Simple assault is assault in the fourth degree: attempting to cause or recklessly causing physical injury, physical pain or illness, purposely putting someone in fear of immediate physical injury, or knowingly making physical contact the person will regard as offensive or provocative. It is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine), but the fear-of-injury and offensive-contact forms are only a class C misdemeanor (up to fifteen days and $750) unless the victim is a 'special victim'. Knowingly causing physical injury is third-degree assault, a class E felony (up to four years); injuring someone with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or recklessly causing serious physical injury, is second-degree assault, a class D felony (up to seven years). Attempting to kill or knowingly causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury is first-degree assault, a class B felony (five to fifteen years), or a class A felony (ten to thirty years or life) if serious physical injury is inflicted or the victim is a special victim. First degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.050&bid=29279 ; second: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.052&bid=29281 ; third: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.054&bid=29282 . A special victim raises second degree to a class B felony and third degree to a class D felony; 'special victim' is defined in § 565.002. Note: a 2026 law (H.B. 2637 & 3155 / S.B. 999) rewrites this section effective July 1, 2027 (§ 565.019); the text summarized here is the version in effect now. Class penalties (§ 558.011, § 558.002): class A misdemeanor up to one year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to six months and $1,000; class C misdemeanor up to fifteen days and $750; class D misdemeanor fine up to $500; class E felony up to four years; class D felony up to seven years; class C felony three to ten years; class B felony five to fifteen years; class A felony ten to thirty years or life. |
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| Battery | Missouri has no separate crime called battery. Offensive or harmful touching is charged as assault: knowingly causing physical contact with another person knowing they will regard it as offensive or provocative is assault in the fourth degree, a class C misdemeanor (up to fifteen days in jail and a $750 fine), or a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) if the victim is a 'special victim'. Contact that causes physical injury is charged as a higher degree of assault (see assault). Offensive contact with a person with a disability that a reasonable person without a disability would find offensive or provocative is a separate subdivision, § 565.056.1(5), and is a class A misdemeanor. |
| Domestic violence | Missouri has separate domestic assault crimes, in four degrees, when the victim is a 'domestic victim' (defined in § 565.002). Domestic assault in the fourth degree (for example attempting or recklessly causing physical injury or pain, putting the victim in fear of immediate injury, offensive contact, or isolating the victim by cutting off access to other people, phones or transportation) is a class A misdemeanor, but becomes a class E felony if the person has two or more prior findings of guilt for domestic assault, any assault, or an offense against a domestic victim. Attempting to cause physical injury or knowingly causing physical pain or illness to a domestic victim is third-degree domestic assault, a class E felony (up to four years). Knowingly causing physical injury by any means, including a deadly weapon or by choking or strangulation, is second-degree domestic assault, a class D felony (up to seven years). Attempting to kill or causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury is first-degree domestic assault, a class B felony, or a class A felony if serious physical injury is inflicted. First degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.072&bid=29288 ; second: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.073&bid=29290 ; third: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.074&bid=29292 . Note: a 2026 law (H.B. 2637 & 3155 / S.B. 999) rewrites this section effective July 1, 2027 (§ 565.019); the text summarized here is the version in effect now. |
| Harassment and stalking | Harassment in the second degree is acting, without good cause, with the purpose of causing emotional distress to another person; it is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year), or a class E felony on a repeat offense. If the act actually causes emotional distress, it is harassment in the first degree, a class E felony (up to four years). Stalking in the second degree is purposely disturbing or following someone through a course of conduct, a class A misdemeanor (class E felony with a qualifying prior or when a law enforcement officer is targeted). Stalking becomes first-degree stalking, a class E felony, when it involves a credible threat to the person, family, household or animals, violates a protection order or probation/parole/bond conditions, targets someone 17 or younger by a person 21 or older, follows prior domestic-assault or protection-order convictions, or involves accessing an address-confidentiality participant's address; it is a class D felony (up to seven years) with a prior stalking conviction or when a law enforcement officer is targeted. Harassment 1st: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.090&bid=29308 ; harassment 2nd: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.091&bid=34707 ; stalking 2nd: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=565.227&bid=34709 . Note: a 2026 law (H.B. 2637 & 3155 / S.B. 999) rewrites this section effective July 1, 2027 (§ 565.019); the text summarized here is the version in effect now. The version effective 7/1/2027 adds 'technological abuse' conduct to stalking. |
Shoplifting, burglary, vandalism and trespassing
| Shoplifting and petty theft | Missouri has no separate shoplifting crime; taking merchandise is charged as stealing. Stealing is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500) when the property is under $150, is not a specially listed type, and the person has no prior findings of guilt for a stealing-related offense; otherwise low-value stealing is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000). Stealing becomes a class E felony (up to four years) when the person has previously been found guilty of three stealing-related offenses committed on three separate occasions within ten years of the current offense. Willfully concealing unpurchased merchandise is presumed to show intent to steal, and a merchant may detain a suspect in a reasonable manner for a reasonable time without being liable for false arrest. Merchant detention: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=537.125 . Prior findings must be pleaded and proven under § 558.021 (§ 570.030.9). |
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| Burglary and robbery | Burglary in the second degree is knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building or inhabitable structure to commit a crime there, or unlawfully entering a motor vehicle to commit a felony or stealing; it is a class D felony (up to seven years), or a class C felony (three to ten years) for a car break-in where the person had or stole a firearm. Entering a marked or staff-only restricted area of a business to commit a crime is a class B misdemeanor (class A on a repeat). Burglary in the first degree, a class B felony (five to fifteen years), applies when the burglar or an accomplice is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon, causes or threatens immediate physical injury to a non-participant, or someone who is not a participant is present in the structure. Robbery is forcibly stealing property: second-degree robbery (causing physical injury in the course of it) is a class B felony, and first-degree robbery (causing serious physical injury, being armed with a deadly weapon, using or threatening a dangerous instrument, displaying what appears to be a deadly weapon, or stealing a controlled substance from a pharmacy) is a class A felony (ten to thirty years or life). First-degree burglary: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=569.160 ; robbery: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=570.023 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=570.025 |
| Vandalism (property damage) | Vandalism is called property damage in Missouri. Knowingly damaging another person's property is property damage in the second degree, a class B misdemeanor (up to six months and $1,000), or a class A misdemeanor if the victim was targeted as a law enforcement officer or an officer's close relative. It becomes property damage in the first degree, a class E felony (up to four years), when the damage exceeds seven hundred fifty dollars (or is done to defraud an insurer); it is a class D felony if a law enforcement officer was targeted. Damaging a vehicle while breaking in to steal is a class D felony (class B for a repeat), and damaging a teller machine is a class D felony or higher. Second degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=569.120 . |
| Trespassing | Trespass in the first degree is knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building or inhabitable structure, or on land that is fenced or enclosed to keep intruders out or where notice against trespass was given in person or by posting. It is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine), a class A misdemeanor if the victim is targeted as a law enforcement officer or an officer's close relative, and a class E felony if the property is part of a nuclear power plant. Simply entering unlawfully on someone else's land, without the notice or fencing required for first degree, is trespass in the second degree, an infraction (fine up to $400). Second degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=569.150 |
Drugs and driving crimes
| Drug possession | Knowingly possessing any controlled substance other than small amounts of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids is a class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Knowingly using or possessing drug paraphernalia with intent to use it with a controlled substance is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500), or a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) if the person has a prior controlled-substance offense; paraphernalia possessed in combination to make methamphetamine or amphetamine is a class E felony. Paraphernalia: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=579.074 . |
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| Hit and run | A driver (or vessel operator) who knows they were in an accident that caused injury, death or property damage and leaves without stopping and giving identifying information commits leaving the scene of an accident. It is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) for a property-damage-only crash. It is a class E felony (up to four years) if physical injury was caused to another party, if property damage was over one thousand dollars, or if the driver has a qualifying prior offense, and a class D felony (up to seven years) if someone died as a result of the accident. A state conviction for leaving the scene adds 12 points to the driver's record. Points: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=302.302 |
| Reckless driving | Missouri's reckless-driving offense is called careless and imprudent driving: every driver must use the highest degree of care and drive in a careful and prudent manner, at a speed that does not endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person; stunt driving is also prohibited. It is a criminal offense, a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine), or a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) when an accident is involved. A state careless and imprudent driving conviction counts 4 points against the license (2 points for a city or county ordinance violation). |
Arrests, court dates and probation
| Resisting arrest | Resisting or interfering with arrest, detention or stop is knowingly resisting an officer's arrest, stop or detention by using or threatening violence or physical force or by fleeing, or interfering with another person's arrest by force or physical interference. It is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000), but a class E felony (up to four years) when the arrest is for a felony or for a warrant on a felony failure-to-appear or felony probation violation, or when the person fleeing creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to anyone. A driver who keeps driving after seeing emergency lights or hearing a siren from a pursuing police vehicle is presumed to be fleeing a vehicle stop, and a vehicle used in a felony violation may be impounded and forfeited. |
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| Missing a court date | Missing court is a crime called failure to appear when a person released on a recognizance or bond, at any stage of a criminal case (including probation or parole revocation), knowingly fails to appear in court as required; it is in addition to forfeiting any bond. It is a class E felony (up to 4 years) if the case included a felony, a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and a $2,000 fine) if the case involved misdemeanors but no felony, and an infraction if the case involved only infractions or a municipal ordinance violation. The court may also punish the person for contempt. Class penalties (RSMo §§ 558.002, 558.011): class B felony 5 to 15 years; class D felony up to 7 years; class E felony up to 4 years; class C, D or E felony fine up to $10,000; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000; class C misdemeanor up to 15 days and $750; class D misdemeanor fine up to $500. Class table: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=558.011&bid=50128 |
| Probation violation | The prosecutor may file a motion to revoke probation, or the court may order the probationer to appear to answer a violation charge; the court may issue an arrest warrant and suspend the probation term while the motion is pending (§ 559.036.7). Probation 'shall not be revoked without giving the probationer notice and an opportunity to be heard' on whether a condition was violated and whether revocation is warranted, and at least five business days before the hearing the judge must tell the probationer he or she may have the right to ask for appointed counsel (§ 559.036.6). On a violation the court may continue probation, modify or enlarge the conditions, or extend the term (§ 559.036.2-.3). For many class D or E felony and drug cases, unless the probationer consents to revocation, the court must first order a 120-day Department of Corrections program instead of revoking, unless the violation involves absconding, a new arrest or offense, weapons, or a stay-away condition (§ 559.036.4). Otherwise the court may revoke and execute the sentence already imposed, or impose any authorized sentence if sentencing had been suspended (§ 559.036.5). |
| Obstruction of justice | Missouri has no single 'obstruction of justice' crime; several offenses cover it. Obstructing government operations (purposely obstructing a government function by violence, force, threats or physical interference) is a class B misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if the person uses violence or force (§ 576.030). Tampering with a witness or victim (using threats, force, deception or benefits to make a witness skip a subpoena, withhold evidence or testify falsely, or dissuading a victim from reporting or prosecuting) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class D felony (up to 7 years) if the original charge is a felony, and those convicted are not eligible for parole (§ 575.270). Hindering prosecution (hiding or helping someone avoid arrest) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony if the other person's conduct is a felony (§ 575.030). Witness tampering: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=575.270 ; hindering prosecution: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=575.030 . Class penalties (RSMo §§ 558.002, 558.011): class B felony 5 to 15 years; class D felony up to 7 years; class E felony up to 4 years; class C, D or E felony fine up to $10,000; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000; class C misdemeanor up to 15 days and $750; class D misdemeanor fine up to $500. Class table: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=558.011&bid=50128 |
| Perjury (lying under oath) | Perjury is knowingly testifying falsely, with the purpose to deceive, to a material fact under oath in an official proceeding. It is a class E felony (up to 4 years) in a proceeding not involving a felony charge and a class D felony (up to 7 years) in a proceeding involving a felony charge; it is a class B felony if committed during a criminal trial to convict someone of a felony other than murder, and a class A felony if done to convict someone of murder. Retracting the false statement in the same proceeding before the lie is exposed is a defense. A related offense, making a false affidavit, is a class C misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if done to mislead a public servant. False affidavit: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=575.050 . Class penalties (RSMo §§ 558.002, 558.011): class B felony 5 to 15 years; class D felony up to 7 years; class E felony up to 4 years; class C, D or E felony fine up to $10,000; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000; class C misdemeanor up to 15 days and $750; class D misdemeanor fine up to $500. Class table: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=558.011&bid=50128 |
Public conduct crimes
| Public intoxication | Being drunk in public is not something Missouri counties or cities may punish: no county or municipality 'may adopt or enforce a law, rule or ordinance which authorizes or requires arrest or punishment for public intoxication or being a common or habitual drunkard or alcoholic' (§ 67.305). Instead, a peace officer may take a person who appears intoxicated or incapacitated to the person's home, a treatment service or another appropriate local facility (which may include a jail if necessary) for custody of up to twelve hours (§ 67.315). Drunk driving and other crimes committed while intoxicated can still be charged (§ 67.310). Protective custody: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=67.315 ; exceptions: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=67.310 Source: RSMo §§ 67.305, 67.310, 67.315 |
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| Disorderly conduct | Disorderly conduct is called peace disturbance in Missouri: unreasonably and knowingly disturbing or alarming others by loud noise, face-to-face offensive language likely to provoke an immediate violent response, threatening a felony, fighting, or creating a noxious odor, or unreasonably blocking traffic or the entrance to a place while in public or on another's property without consent. A first conviction is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and a $1,000 fine); a second or subsequent conviction is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000). On a third or subsequent conviction the person must pay a fine of $1,000 to $5,000. Per the revisor's annotation, the Missouri Supreme Court held the 'threatening a felonious act' clause overbroad and facially invalid in State v. Carpenter, 736 S.W.2d 406 (Mo. banc 1987). |
| Indecent exposure | Indecent exposure is charged as sexual misconduct in the first degree: exposing one's genitals when the person knows it is likely to cause affront or alarm, having sexual contact in front of others when likely to cause affront or alarm, or having sex in a public place in front of a third person. It is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and a $1,000 fine), or a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000) if the person has a prior finding of guilt for a chapter 566 sex offense in Missouri or a similar offense elsewhere. |
| Prostitution and solicitation | Prostitution (engaging in, offering or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct for something of value) is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months), but a class B felony (5 to 15 years) if the person knew beforehand that he or she had HIV; a person under 18 cannot be charged and is treated as an abuse victim (§ 567.020). Buying sex, called patronizing prostitution, is a class E felony (up to 4 years); it is a class D felony if the person patronized is under 18 but older than 15, and a class B felony if the person is fifteen or younger (§ 567.030, version effective August 28, 2026). A judge may order drug and alcohol treatment for someone found guilty of prostitution and, for the misdemeanor, may allow the guilty plea to be withdrawn after successful completion. Prostitution: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=567.020 . Class penalties (RSMo §§ 558.002, 558.011): class B felony 5 to 15 years; class D felony up to 7 years; class E felony up to 4 years; class C, D or E felony fine up to $10,000; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000; class C misdemeanor up to 15 days and $750; class D misdemeanor fine up to $500. Class table: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=558.011&bid=50128 |
| Gambling | Legal gambling in Missouri is set by the state constitution: a state lottery (art. III, § 39(b)); on-track pari-mutuel betting on horse racing if authorized by law (art. III, § 39(c)); casino games on excursion gambling boats and floating facilities on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers only (art. III, § 39(e)); and, since voter approval in 2024, sports wagering by licensed operators online to people physically in Missouri, at the riverboat casinos, and at approved locations in pro-sports districts, for people 21 and older, starting no later than December 1, 2025 (art. III, § 39(g)). The Missouri Gaming Commission states 'Online casinos are illegal in Missouri.' Gambling outside these exceptions is a class C misdemeanor (up to 15 days), a class B misdemeanor if done with a child under 17, and a class A misdemeanor for a professional player (§ 572.020); promoting gambling in the first degree (e.g., bookmaking over $100 a day or operating a slot machine) is a class E felony (§ 572.030). Gambling crime: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=572.020 ; promoting: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=572.030 ; MGC online-casino alert: https://www.mgc.dps.mo.gov/CommissionNews/CommNews/2025_PSA%20Fraudulent%20Online%20Casinos.pdf |
Fraud, embezzlement and blackmail
| Embezzlement | Missouri has no separate embezzlement offense in its theft law; an employee or other person who takes property or services of another without consent or by deceit is charged with stealing, graded by value. Stealing is a class D misdemeanor for unlisted property under $150 with no prior stealing-related findings of guilt, and otherwise a class A misdemeanor if no other penalty applies (§ 570.030.7-.8). It is a class D felony (up to 7 years) when the value is $750 or more and a class C felony (3 to 10 years) when the value is $25,000 or more (§ 570.030.4-.5). |
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| Fraud and identity theft | Identity theft is knowingly obtaining, possessing, transferring or using someone else's means of identification with intent to deceive or defraud. It is a class B misdemeanor; a class A misdemeanor if it results in theft of up to $750; a class D felony if over $750 up to $25,000; a class C felony if over $25,000 up to $75,000; and a class B felony if over $75,000. A repeat identity theft involving $750 or less is a class E felony, and victims may sue for up to $5,000 per incident or triple damages (§ 570.223). Credit or debit card fraud (using a stolen, forged, revoked or otherwise unauthorized card) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony if $750 or more is obtained or sought within 30 days (§ 570.130). Card fraud: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=570.130 . Class penalties (RSMo §§ 558.002, 558.011): class B felony 5 to 15 years; class D felony up to 7 years; class E felony up to 4 years; class C, D or E felony fine up to $10,000; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000; class C misdemeanor up to 15 days and $750; class D misdemeanor fine up to $500. Class table: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=558.011&bid=50128 |
| Forgery | Forgery is making, altering or authenticating a writing (or other item such as a receipt or product code) so it falsely appears genuine, or using or passing such an item as genuine, with the purpose to defraud; it is a class D felony (up to 7 years) (§ 570.090). Passing a bad check knowing it will not be paid, or with insufficient funds and failing to pay within ten days after written notice, is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony (up to 4 years) if the check or checks total $750 or more within a ten-day course of conduct or the writer had no account with the bank (§ 570.120). Bad checks: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=570.120 . Class penalties (RSMo §§ 558.002, 558.011): class B felony 5 to 15 years; class D felony up to 7 years; class E felony up to 4 years; class C, D or E felony fine up to $10,000; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000; class C misdemeanor up to 15 days and $750; class D misdemeanor fine up to $500. Class table: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=558.011&bid=50128 |
| Blackmail (extortion) | Blackmail and extortion are charged in Missouri as stealing by coercion: appropriating another's property 'by means of deceit or coercion' (§ 570.030.1). 'Coercion' includes a threat to commit any offense, to injure someone in the future, to accuse someone of an offense, to expose someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule, to harm someone's credit or business reputation, or to take or withhold official action; a threat is justified if the property was honestly claimed as restitution or compensation (§ 570.010). The grade follows the stealing value tiers, from a misdemeanor up to a class D felony at $750 or more and a class C felony at $25,000 or more. Coercion definition: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=570.010 Source: RSMo §§ 570.010(5), 570.030 |
Murder, manslaughter and other serious crimes
| Murder (first vs second degree) | First-degree murder is knowingly causing a death after deliberation (cool reflection); it is a class A felony punished, for adults, only by death or life without probation or parole. For someone under 18 it is life without parole, life with parole eligibility, or 30 to 40 years. Second-degree murder is knowingly causing a death, or causing a death while intending serious physical injury, or a death during the commission of or flight from any felony (felony murder); it is a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life), added to the sentence for the related felony. Second degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.021; juveniles: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.033 |
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| Manslaughter (voluntary, involuntary, vehicular) | Voluntary manslaughter is a killing that would be second-degree murder but done under sudden passion arising from adequate cause, or knowingly helping someone commit suicide; it is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). Involuntary manslaughter in the first degree (recklessly causing a death) is a class C felony (3 to 10 years), and in the second degree (criminal negligence) a class E felony (up to 4 years); each is one class higher if the victim was targeted as a police officer or an officer's close relative. Causing a death through criminal negligence while driving intoxicated is charged under the DWI statute as at least a class B felony, with no parole or probation until five years are served; a repeat after such a conviction is a class A felony with a ten-year minimum. Involuntary: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.024, https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.027; DWI death: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=577.010 (version effective 8/28/2026). |
| Child endangerment | Endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree (knowingly creating a substantial risk to the life, body or health of a child under 18, a caretaker's sexual conduct with the child, encouraging a child to commit weapons or drug crimes, or making or handling fentanyl or methamphetamine around a child) is a class D felony (up to 7 years). It rises to a class C felony with physical injury, a repeat offense or a pattern by two or more people, a class B felony with serious physical injury or fentanyl, and a class A felony if the child dies. Second-degree endangerment (criminal negligence toward a child under 17, or encouraging a child into delinquent conduct or a public nuisance) is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000), or a class E felony if part of a pattern by two or more people. First degree as amended effective 8/28/2026. Second degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=568.050 |
| Arson | Arson in the first degree is knowingly damaging a building or inhabitable structure by fire or explosion while someone is present or nearby and recklessly endangering them, or damaging a building while trying to make methamphetamine; it is a class B felony (5 to 15 years), or a class A felony if anyone is seriously injured or killed. Arson in the second degree is knowingly damaging a building by fire or explosion, a class D felony (up to 7 years), or class B if someone is seriously injured or killed; burning one's own building for a lawful purpose with everyone's consent is a defense. Knowingly burning or exploding someone else's property is a class E felony (up to 4 years). Second degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=569.050; knowingly burning: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=569.055 |
| Human trafficking | Trafficking a person for slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage or forced labor, and abusing a person through forced labor, are felonies with 5 to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000; if death results or the crime includes kidnapping, serious sexual abuse or an attempt to kill, the range rises (five years to life for trafficking, ten years to life for forced labor). Sex trafficking of an adult is 5 to 20 years and up to $250,000, or ten years to life if done by force, abduction or coercion. Sex trafficking of a child under 18 (second degree) carries 20 years to life, life without parole for 25 years if by force, and life if committed by a parent or guardian; for a child under 14 (first degree) it is life without parole until 30 years are served. Believing the child was older is not a defense. Forced labor: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=566.203; sex trafficking: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=566.209; children: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=566.210, https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=566.211 |
| Money laundering | Money laundering is conducting or attempting a financial transaction (including cryptocurrency) to promote criminal activity, or to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership or control of criminal proceeds, among other listed purposes. It is a class B felony (5 to 15 years), and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater, may also be assessed. The statute has no amount tiers. |
Online crimes and teens
| Revenge porn (sharing intimate images) | Yes. Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is intentionally sharing an image of an identifiable person engaged in a sexual act or with intimate parts exposed, to harass, threaten or coerce, when the image was obtained under circumstances showing it was to remain private and the sharer knew or should have known the person did not consent. It is a class D felony (up to 7 years), or a class C felony (3 to 10 years) if the image is of a minor or a vulnerable person. The person shown may also sue for $10,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees. Version effective 8/28/2026. |
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| Cyberbullying | Missouri's harassment laws cover any act, including electronic messages, done without good cause and with the purpose of causing emotional distress. Harassment in the first degree (the person actually suffers emotional distress) is a class E felony (up to 4 years). Harassment in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000), or a class E felony for a repeat offender. Separately, every school district must have an antibullying policy that covers cyberbullying, but that law sets no criminal penalty. Current versions read: 565.090 effective 1/1/2017 and 565.091 effective 8/28/2017; amended versions take effect 7/1/2027 (565.090 then adds a class D felony for repeat offenders). School policy: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=160.775 |
| Sexting by minors | No separate sexting offense or diversion rule for minors was found in the statutes read. Missouri's laws on creating child sexual abuse material (sexual exploitation of a minor: class B felony, class A if the minor is under 14) and on possessing it (class D felony for one still image, class B for more than 20 images or any video, or a repeat) do not state an exception for minors who send or keep images of themselves or peers. Versions effective 8/28/2026. Exploitation: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=573.023 |
| Underage drinking and fake IDs | A person under 21 who buys or tries to buy, or possesses, intoxicating liquor, is visibly intoxicated, or has a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or more commits a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500) for a first offense and a class A misdemeanor for a second. A person 17 to 20 who claims to be 21 to get liquor commits a misdemeanor, and using an altered or fake license or ID to get liquor carries a $500 fine for each offense; altering or misrepresenting a license is a misdemeanor with up to $1,000 and/or one year. The court must suspend or revoke the driving privileges of a person over 15 and under 21 found to have violated the minor-in-possession law, and of a person under 21 who commits an alcohol-related driving offense or uses an altered license. Fake ID: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=311.320, https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=311.328; license suspension: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=302.400 |
| Animal cruelty | Animal abuse (intentionally killing an animal in a way not allowed by law, purposely causing it injury or suffering, or an owner knowingly failing to provide adequate care resulting in substantial harm) is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000). It is a class E felony (up to 4 years) for a repeat offender or when the suffering comes from torture or mutilation inflicted while the animal was alive. Animal neglect (failing to provide adequate care, or abandoning an animal) is a class C misdemeanor, or class B for a repeat; the court may order the owner to pay care costs. No ownership ban was found in these sections. Neglect: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=578.009 |
Everyday laws: driving, drinking, knives and fireworks
| Driving on a suspended license | Driving while one's license is cancelled, suspended or revoked, with criminal negligence as to knowing it, is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500) for a first offense and a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) for a second or third. A fourth or later offense within ten years (or a third if the person has a prior alcohol-related enforcement contact) is a class E felony (up to 4 years), with at least 48 hours served or community service before probation or parole. |
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| Driving without a license | Driving on a highway without a valid license is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500) for a first offense, a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) for a second, and a class E felony (up to 4 years) for a third or later. A licensed driver must carry the license while driving and show it to an officer on demand; failing to show it is presumptive evidence that the driver is unlicensed. Carry rule: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=302.181 |
| Open container in a car | The statute found bars the driver from consuming any alcoholic beverage while operating a moving vehicle on a public road; it is an infraction (a fine of up to $400, no jail) and is not reported on the driver's Department of Revenue record. No statewide statute barring passengers from having or drinking from an open container was found. Source: RSMo § 577.017; § 558.002 |
| Jaywalking | Missouri's pedestrian rules are in the Model Traffic Ordinance (RSMo chapter 300), which applies in cities that adopt it: drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks where signals are not operating, pedestrians may not suddenly step off a curb into the path of a vehicle too close to stop, and outside a crosswalk a pedestrian must cross at right angles or by the shortest route. The statutes read do not set a state penalty; penalties come from the adopting city's ordinance. Crossing at right angles: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=300.385; adoption by cities: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=300.600 |
| Knife laws | Missouri's weapons law defines a 'knife' as a dagger, dirk, stiletto or other bladed hand instrument readily capable of inflicting serious injury, but not an ordinary pocketknife with no blade over four inches. Carrying such a knife concealed into an area where firearms are restricted under § 571.107, or carrying it into a church, a polling place on election day, or a government building, is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months and $1,000); carrying any weapon readily capable of lethal use into a school, onto a school bus or to a school event is also unlawful use of a weapon, and exhibiting a weapon in an angry or threatening manner is a class E felony. Possessing, making, transporting or selling a switchblade knife (one that opens by a button, gravity or centrifugal force) is a class D felony only when done in violation of federal law; possessing metal knuckles is a class A misdemeanor. 571.030 as amended effective 8/28/2026. Definitions: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=571.010; switchblade: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=571.020 |
| Fireworks | Consumer fireworks may be sold by permitted sellers; seasonal retailers may sell only from June 20 to July 10 and from December 20 to January 2. It is unlawful to sell fireworks to a child under 14 unless a parent or guardian is present, to set off consumer fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, mental health facility or school or within 100 feet of where fireworks are sold, or to throw them from or at a vehicle or at people. Cherry bombs, M-80s and other ground salutes exceeding consumer limits are banned. Violating the fireworks law is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000); possessing, selling or making the banned ground salutes is a class D felony (up to 7 years). Season: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=320.106; banned items: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=320.136; penalty: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=320.161 |
Kidnapping, threats and sex crimes
| Kidnapping | Missouri has three degrees of kidnapping. First-degree kidnapping (unlawfully moving or confining someone for a substantial period to hold them for ransom, use them as a shield or hostage, interfere with government, or to commit a felony or injure or terrorize them) is a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life), or a class B felony (5 to 15 years) when done to commit a felony or to injure or terrorize. Second-degree kidnapping (restraint that exposes the person to a substantial risk of serious physical injury) is a class D felony (up to 7 years). Third-degree kidnapping (unlawful restraint that substantially interferes with liberty) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year), or a class E felony (up to 4 years) if the person is taken out of state. Child kidnapping (a non-relative taking or confining a child under 14 without parental consent) is a class A felony. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
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| Criminal threats (terroristic threats) | Missouri's threat crimes are called making a terrorist threat. Knowingly communicating a threat (or false report) of danger to life with the purpose of frightening 10 or more people or causing a building, gathering place or transit facility to be evacuated or closed is first degree, a class D felony (up to 7 years). Doing so while recklessly disregarding that risk is second degree, a class E felony (up to 4 years), and with criminal negligence is third degree, a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000). Threats aimed at one person may instead be charged as harassment; first-degree harassment (an act meant to and that does cause emotional distress) is a class E felony. Second/third degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=574.120, https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=574.125; harassment: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.090 (a version effective July 1, 2027 adds a class D felony for repeat offenders). Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
| Sexual assault and rape | Missouri's main sexual assault crimes are rape and sodomy. Rape in the first degree (sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, including drugging the victim, or with a person who is incapacitated or cannot consent) carries life imprisonment or a term of not less than 5 years, at least 15 years if it is an aggravated sexual offense, and life without parole for at least 30 years if the victim is under 12; probation is not allowed. Sodomy in the first degree is punished the same way (at least 10 years if aggravated). Rape in the second degree (intercourse knowing the person did not consent) is a class D felony (up to 7 years). Sexual abuse in the first degree (sexual contact by force or with an incapacitated person) is a class C felony (class B if the victim is under 14 or it is aggravated), and sexual abuse in the second degree (contact without consent) is a class A misdemeanor. Age-based offenses are covered on the age-of-consent page. §§ 566.030 and 566.060 shown are the versions effective 1/1/2017; amended versions take effect January 1, 2028 (rape in the first degree becomes a class A felony of 10-30 years or life). B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. |
| Child molestation (child sexual abuse) | Child molestation in the first degree (sexual contact with a child under 14 that is an aggravated sexual offense) is a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life), served without probation or parole if the child is under 12. Child molestation in the second degree (sexual contact with a child under 12, or an aggravated sexual offense by someone more than four years older against a child under 17) is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). Rape or sodomy in the first degree of a child under 12 carries life imprisonment, with no parole for at least 30 years, and sexual abuse in the first degree of a child under 14 is a class B felony. B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. |
| Child pornography (child sexual abuse material) | Missouri now calls child pornography 'child sexual abuse material.' Possessing it is a class D felony (up to 7 years) for one still image and a class B felony (5 to 15 years) for more than twenty still images, any video, or a repeat offense, and each item can be punished separately. Promoting (distributing) material of a child under 14, or possessing it with intent to promote, is a class B felony with no probation or parole for three years, and a class A felony if promoted to a minor. Producing it (sexual exploitation of a minor) is a class B felony, or a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life) if the victim is a child. Versions effective August 28, 2026 (H.B. 2273, 2026). B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. |
| Online solicitation of a minor | Grooming or enticement of a minor (by any means, including online, a person more than four years older trying to persuade, solicit or lure a minor under 18 to engage in sexual conduct, a sexual performance or a commercial sex act) is a felony punishable by 5 to 30 years in prison, with no parole for five years. If the minor actually engages in the conduct, the minimum is 10 years with no parole, probation or suspended sentence for ten years, and the sentence runs consecutively to any other crime. It is no defense that the 'minor' was an undercover officer, and the court must order restitution to the victim. Version effective August 28, 2026 ('Evie and Sophie's Law', A.L. 2025 S.B. 43, A.L. 2026 H.B. 2273). Source: RSMo § 566.151 |
| Sex offender registration | People found guilty of offenses that make them tier I, II or III sex offenders (including out-of-state offenders who live, work or study in Missouri, and certain juveniles 14 or older adjudicated for the most serious offenses) must register within three business days of adjudication or release. Registration lasts 15 years for tier I, 25 years for tier II and life for tier III, and registrants may petition for removal only in limited cases. Changes of name, address, job or school must be reported in person within three business days; tier I offenders verify annually, tier II every six months and tier III every 90 days. Failing to register is a class E felony (up to 4 years), or a class D felony (up to 7 years) if the underlying offense was a serious sex offense; a third offense carries 10 to 30 years with electronic monitoring on release. §§ 589.400, 589.401 and 589.414 read in versions effective August 28, 2026; § 589.425 version effective 1/1/2017 (an amended version effective January 1, 2028 makes a third offense a class A felony). B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. |
Car theft, stolen property and drugs
| Car theft and joyriding | Stealing a car (charged as stealing) is a class D felony regardless of the vehicle's value, punishable by up to 7 years. It becomes a class B felony (5 to 15 years) if the person has two prior stealing-related offenses on separate occasions within 10 years. Knowingly receiving, possessing, selling or operating a car, motorcycle, boat or other motor vehicle without the owner's consent (joyriding, called tampering in the first degree) is also a class D felony. Tampering: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=569.080. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
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| Receiving stolen property | Missouri has no separate receiving-stolen-property crime; receiving, keeping or disposing of property knowing or believing it was stolen is charged as stealing. The grade follows value: under $150 with no prior stealing offense is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500); otherwise a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year); $750 or more is a class D felony (up to 7 years); $25,000 or more is a class C felony (3 to 10 years). Certain items are felonies at any value (for example a motor vehicle or firearm), and values from one scheme or course of conduct may be added together. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
| Organized retail theft | Missouri treats organized retail theft as a form of stealing. It covers stealing from businesses as part of an agreement between one or more people, knowingly receiving or possessing such stolen goods, and organizing, financing or managing a scheme to sell them; separate acts that are part of an ongoing agreement may be added together regardless of where or when they happened. When the property taken plus any damage is $750 or more but less than $10,000, it is a class C felony (3 to 10 years); at $10,000 or more it is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). The attorney general may prosecute these cases at a local prosecutor's written request. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
| Drug trafficking and intent to distribute | Selling or delivering a controlled substance, or possessing it with intent to distribute (called delivery of a controlled substance), is a class C felony (3 to 10 years); 35 grams or less of marijuana is a class E felony, and delivery to someone under 17 who is at least 2 years younger is a class B felony. Trafficking in the first degree (distributing, manufacturing or attempting to, above set amounts, such as more than 30 grams of heroin or methamphetamine, more than 150 grams of cocaine, more than 3 milligrams of fentanyl, or any carfentanil) is a class B felony (5 to 15 years), and a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life) at larger amounts, such as 90 grams or more of heroin or methamphetamine, 450 grams or more of cocaine, or 14 milligrams or more of fentanyl. Trafficking in the second degree (possessing or buying those amounts) is a class C, B or A felony depending on quantity. §§ 579.065 and 579.068 as amended by 2026 S.B. 1421, effective August 28, 2026. Delivery: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=579.020; second degree: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=579.068. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
| Prescription drug fraud | Getting or trying to get a controlled substance by fraud (called fraudulently attempting to obtain a controlled substance) includes making false statements in a prescription or record, pretending to be a doctor, pharmacist or other authorized person, writing or passing a forged prescription, putting a false label on a drug package, or possessing a forged prescription to obtain drugs. It is a class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years. Information given to a doctor in an effort to get drugs unlawfully is not privileged. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. Source: RSMo §§ 579.045, 558.011 |
Driving and boating
| Vehicular assault | Injuring someone while driving drunk is charged under the driving-while-intoxicated statute. If an intoxicated driver acts with criminal negligence to cause physical injury, it is a class D felony (up to 7 years); serious physical injury is a class C felony (3 to 10 years); and death is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). Recklessly causing serious physical injury to another person, including by driving, can also be charged as second-degree assault, a class D felony. § 577.010 as amended by 2026 H.B. 1740, effective August 28, 2026 (the revisor page for this version shows a stray heading but the text is the DWI statute). Assault: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.052. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
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| Boating under the influence (BUI) | Boating while intoxicated (operating a vessel in an intoxicated condition) and boating with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more are each a class B misdemeanor for a first offense (up to 6 months and $1,000) and a class A misdemeanor for a prior boating offender or when a child under 17 is aboard. Repeat offenses rise to class E through class B felonies as the offender becomes persistent, aggravated, chronic or habitual. Causing physical injury by criminal negligence while boating intoxicated is a class E felony, serious physical injury a class D felony, and death a class C felony (higher if the victim is a police officer or emergency worker). A first offender can get a suspended imposition of sentence only with at least 2 years of probation (or a DWI court program for .15% or more). BAC offense: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=577.014. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
Fraud, bribery and tax crimes
| Insurance fraud | A 'fraudulent insurance act' means knowingly presenting or preparing materially false information (or hiding material facts) in an insurance application or claim, including medical billing schemes such as unbundling, upcoding, exploding or duplicating claims. A first offense is a class E felony (up to 4 years); a repeat offense is a class D felony (up to 7 years). The statute does not grade the offense by amount. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
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| Welfare and unemployment fraud | Knowingly receiving or using public assistance benefits or EBT cards one is not entitled to is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony (up to 4 years) at $750 or more or on a second offense, and a class D felony for further felony offenses; full restitution is required, and probation does not end until it is paid. Making a signed, false written statement to get public assistance (perjury for the purpose of obtaining public assistance) follows the same $750 line. Obtaining benefits by false statements or failing to report income may also be charged as stealing. Unemployment benefits fraud is a class A misdemeanor plus a civil penalty up to the value of the fraud, and a class E felony for a repeat offender. Perjury for assistance: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=570.408; stealing: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=205.967; unemployment: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=288.395. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
| Bribery | Bribery of a public servant (knowingly offering, giving or agreeing to give any benefit in return for a public servant's vote, decision or other official action, or for breaking a legal duty) is a class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years and a fine up to $10,000. Commercial bribery (an employee, agent, fiduciary, professional adviser or similar person taking a benefit to violate a duty of loyalty, or someone offering it) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000). Commercial bribery: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=570.150. Class penalties: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.011 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=558.002. |
| State tax evasion | Willfully trying to evade or defeat Missouri income tax, or willfully (with intent to defraud) failing to pay the tax, file a return, keep records or supply information, is punished by a fine up to $10,000, up to 1 year in the county jail, or 2 to 5 years in the state penitentiary, or both fine and imprisonment, plus costs of prosecution. Willfully signing a return or document under penalty of perjury that one does not believe is true, or helping prepare a fraudulent one, carries the same penalty. These sections cover Missouri income tax (§§ 143.011 to 143.996). Failure to file: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=143.931; false returns: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=143.941. |
| Computer hacking and cybercrime | Missouri's computer tampering laws cover tampering with computer data (altering, destroying, taking or disclosing data or passwords without authorization, or accessing a computer to examine information about another person), tampering with computer equipment, and tampering with computer users (unauthorized access or denying service to an authorized user). Each is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year), or a class E felony (up to 4 years) when done to defraud or obtain property worth $750 or more; damaging equipment or systems by $750 or more is a class E felony, and by $25,000 or more a class D felony (up to 7 years). B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. |
Guns, recording, courts and juveniles
| Felon in possession of a firearm | It is unlawful possession of a firearm for a person convicted of a felony in Missouri (or of an out-of-state or federal crime that would be a felony in Missouri) to knowingly possess a firearm; the ban also covers fugitives, people habitually intoxicated or drugged, and people adjudged mentally incompetent. It is a class C felony (3 to 10 years), or a class B felony (5 to 15 years) if the person was convicted of a dangerous felony or has a prior unlawful-possession conviction. Antique firearms are exempt from the felon ban. The section itself does not provide for restoring rights. B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. Source: RSMo § 571.070 |
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| Recording conversations (one-party consent) | Missouri is a one-party consent state: it is not illegal for a person who is a party to a phone call, or who has the prior consent of one party, to intercept or record it, unless it is done to commit a criminal or tortious act. Illegally intercepting a wire communication, or using certain devices to intercept an oral communication, or knowingly disclosing or using illegally intercepted contents, is a class E felony (up to 4 years). B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. Source: RSMo § 542.402.1, 2(3) |
| Filing a false police report | Making a false report is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and $1,000). It covers knowingly giving false information to implicate another person in a crime, falsely reporting to police that a crime has occurred or is about to occur, and falsely reporting a fire or other emergency to police, fire or emergency agencies. It is a defense that the person took back the false report before anyone took substantial action relying on it. B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. Source: RSMo § 575.080 |
| Hate crimes | Yes. Missouri's hate offense law lets prosecutors charge certain crimes as hate offenses when they are knowingly motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability. Third-degree assault, first-degree harassment, first-degree property damage and certain unlawful-use-of-weapons offenses become class D felonies (up to 7 years), and fourth-degree assault, second-degree tampering, masked intimidation, second-degree property damage and first-degree trespass, among others, become class E felonies (up to 4 years). Version effective August 28, 2026 (A.L. 2026 S.B. 1421). B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. Source: RSMo § 557.035 |
| Parole violation | The Division of Probation and Parole or a parole officer may issue a warrant to arrest a parolee for violating parole or conditional release, and the parolee is held without bail pending a hearing. The parolee has a right to a preliminary hearing unless waived. The Parole Board then discharges the person, orders placement in a Department of Corrections treatment center, or holds a violation hearing; if a violation is found, the board may continue or revoke parole or enter another order, and decides how much of the time on the run or in custody counts toward the sentence. Source: RSMo § 217.720 |
| Violating a restraining order | Violating an ex parte or full order of protection (for example by abuse, stalking, contact initiated by the respondent, or coming to the petitioner's home, work or school or within a set distance) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000). If the person was found guilty of violating a protection order within the previous five years, the new violation is a class E felony (up to 4 years). Police must arrest a respondent who has notice of the order when there is probable cause of an act of abuse in violation of it. B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; class B misdemeanor up to 6 months and $1,000. Source: RSMo § 455.085.2, .7, .8 |
| Juveniles tried as adults | Missouri uses judicial certification (transfer). For a child 14 to 17 accused of a class A or B felony, a sex felony, or three felonies within 180 days, the juvenile court may hold a hearing and transfer the case to adult court. For a child 12 to 17 accused of first- or second-degree murder, first-degree assault, rape or sodomy in the first degree, first-degree robbery, drug distribution or manufacturing, any dangerous felony, a felony with a deadly weapon, or with two or more prior felony-level offenses, the court must hold a certification hearing and may transfer the child. The juvenile officer, prosecutor, the child or the court can start the process. Version effective August 28, 2026. Source: RSMo § 211.071.1 |
Death penalty, three strikes and rights after a felony
| Death penalty | Missouri has the death penalty in law. First-degree murder (knowingly causing a death after deliberation) is a class A felony punished, for an offender 18 or older, by either death or life imprisonment without probation or parole (release only by act of the governor); offenders under 18 are sentenced under § 565.033. The statute sets the method of execution as lethal gas or lethal injection, carried out by the Department of Corrections. Method: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=546.720 Source: RSMo §§ 565.020, 546.720 |
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| Three strikes and habitual offender laws | Missouri does not have a fixed 'three strikes' life sentence; it uses extended terms for repeat offenders. A 'prior offender' has one earlier felony, and a 'persistent offender' has two or more felonies committed at different times or one earlier 'dangerous felony.' A 'dangerous offender' is someone being sentenced for a felony in which they knowingly killed or endangered a life or inflicted or threatened serious injury, who already has a class A or B felony or dangerous felony. A persistent or dangerous offender found guilty of a class B, C, D or E felony must be sentenced within the range for the next-higher class (for example, a class C felony is sentenced as a class B felony, 5 to 15 years). Prior convictions must be pleaded and proven beyond a reasonable doubt before sentencing. Version effective Aug. 28, 2026 (2026 H.B. 2637 & 3155). Class penalties from RSMo 558.011 (class A felony 10-30 years or life; B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000). |
| Voting with a felony conviction | People in Missouri cannot vote while confined under a sentence of imprisonment. Since August 28, 2026 (H.B. 1871), people on probation or parole are barred from voting only if their felony conviction is under chapter 566 (sexual offenses) or 573, or under one of the listed sections, including first- and second-degree murder (§§ 565.020, 565.021) and first- and second-degree assault (§§ 565.050, 565.052), until finally discharged; before that change, any felony probation or parole barred voting. Rights return without an application once the bar ends. A person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage (election offenses) is barred from voting permanently. Prior version (eff. 2003-2026) of § 115.133.2(2): 'While on probation or parole after conviction of a felony, until finally discharged.' § 561.026: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=561.026. Full list of covered sections in § 115.133.2(2): chapters 566 and 573 and §§ 565.020, 565.021, 565.050, 565.052, 565.072, 565.079, 568.020, 568.045, 569.160. |
| Restoring rights after a felony | In Missouri, voting rights return automatically when the voting bar ends (release from confinement, or discharge from probation or parole for the listed serious offenses), except that an election-related conviction bars voting permanently. A felony conviction permanently disqualifies a person from serving on a jury. A person convicted of a felony cannot hold public office until completing the sentence or probation, and a felony connected with the right of suffrage bars holding office forever; a public official convicted of a felony forfeits the office at sentencing. Possessing a firearm after any felony conviction is a separate crime (class C felony, or class B after a dangerous felony or a prior conviction for the same offense), and that statute contains no restoration procedure (its only exception is for antique firearms). Office: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=561.021; firearms: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=571.070. |
Is it legal? Delta-8, mushrooms, kratom, CBD and vaping
| Delta-8 and hemp THC products | Missouri's Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act (2026 H.B. 2641, signed April 23, 2026) takes effect November 12, 2026. From that date, all 'hemp-derived cannabinoid products' (any product from hemp, other than industrial hemp, that contains cannabinoids and is meant for human or animal use) are treated as marijuana and may be grown, made, tested, transported and sold only by businesses licensed under Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution (the marijuana program). The act's hemp definition excludes products with synthesized or lab-converted cannabinoids (cannabinoids not naturally produced by the plant, or made outside the plant) and final products with more than 0.4 milligram of total THC per container. A violation is a class D felony (up to 7 years) plus a fine of $5,000 per transaction. For some other products, if Congress delays the federal hemp restrictions, the act applies only while the federal restrictions are in force, but those products still may not be sold to anyone under 21. Governor's signing release: https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-signs-four-bills-law. Class penalties from RSMo 558.011 (class A felony 10-30 years or life; B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000). |
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| Magic mushrooms (psilocybin) | Psilocybin and psilocyn ('magic mushrooms') are Schedule I controlled substances in Missouri. Possessing any controlled substance other than small amounts of marijuana is a class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Schedule I: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=195.017. No psilocybin program or decriminalization statute appeared in the sections read (not a full review). Class penalties from RSMo 558.011 (class A felony 10-30 years or life; B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000). |
| CBD | Missouri has long allowed registered patients with intractable epilepsy to possess 'hemp extract' (no more than 0.3% THC and at least 5% CBD) with a state registration card. Under the Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act, effective November 12, 2026, any product derived from hemp that contains cannabinoids 'in any form' and is meant for human or animal use is a 'hemp-derived cannabinoid product' treated as marijuana and may be sold only by licensed marijuana businesses; FDA-approved drugs are excluded, and hemp and industrial hemp themselves are not treated as marijuana. Only licensed marijuana dispensaries may use the word 'dispensary' in a business name when selling CBD, hemp or cannabinoid products. Violations are a class D felony plus $5,000 per transaction. Hemp extract: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=195.207. How the Nov. 12, 2026 rules apply to non-intoxicating CBD products may depend on federal law and the act's effective-date provisions in § 195.900.11. |
| Smoking and vaping age | Missouri's own statutes set 18 as the minimum age: sellers must refuse sales of tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to anyone under 18, with clerk fines of $25, $100 and then $250, and mail/internet sellers fined $250 and then $500. A person under 18 who buys, tries to buy or possesses these products, or lies about age to buy them, commits an infraction; the products are confiscated, and a second violation also requires a tobacco education or cessation program if available. (Federal law separately sets a nationwide minimum sale age of 21, which the state statutes read do not mention.) Sales: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=407.926 and https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=407.931. |
Elder abuse, voyeurism and assaulting an officer
| Elder abuse | Missouri defines an 'elderly person' as someone 60 or older. Abuse of an elderly person, a person with a disability or a vulnerable person (repeated conduct causing emotional distress, intentionally failing to provide care, or knowingly creating a substantial risk to life or health) is a class A misdemeanor. Financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability by deceit, coercion or undue influence (including misuse of a power of attorney) is a class A misdemeanor under $50, and a felony from $50 (class E) up to $75,000 or more (class A). Physical assaults on elderly persons are charged as assault with 'special victim' enhancement, which raises each degree (for example, third-degree assault from a class E to a class D felony). Exploitation: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=570.145; elderly definition: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=556.061. The former elder abuse sections 565.180-565.182 were repealed effective Jan. 1, 2017. Class penalties from RSMo 558.011 (class A felony 10-30 years or life; B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000). |
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| Voyeurism (peeping tom) | Missouri calls secret nude photos or upskirting 'invasion of privacy': knowingly photographing or filming someone without consent while they are fully or partly nude in a place where they expect privacy, or photographing under or through their clothing. It is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year), but becomes a class E felony (up to 4 years) if the image is distributed or posted online, more than one person is recorded in the same course of conduct, or the person has a prior invasion-of-privacy conviction. Class penalties from RSMo 558.011 (class A felony 10-30 years or life; B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000). Source: RSMo § 565.252 |
| Assaulting a police officer | Missouri raises the grade of each degree of assault when the victim is a 'special victim,' which includes a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical or hospital emergency worker, probation and parole officer, or jailer or corrections officer assaulted while on duty or because of their duties, as well as highway workers in work zones, utility and cable workers, and mass transit employees on the job. First-degree assault becomes a class A felony (10-30 years or life); second-degree assault rises from a class D to a class B felony (5-15 years); third-degree assault (knowingly causing physical injury) rises from a class E to a class D felony (up to 7 years); and the lowest form of fourth-degree assault (threats or offensive contact) rises from a class C to a class A misdemeanor. Assault sections: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.050, https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.052, https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.054, https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.056. Versions effective July 1, 2027 (2026 H.B. 2637 & 3155) replace 'physical injury' and 'serious physical injury' with 'bodily harm' and 'great bodily harm' but keep the special-victim grades. Class penalties from RSMo 558.011 (class A felony 10-30 years or life; B 5-15 years; C 3-10 years; D up to 7 years; E up to 4 years; class A misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000). |
Criminal Law FAQ
What are the felony classes and maximum sentences in Missouri?
Felonies are graded Class A through E (§ 558.011.1, version in effect 8/28/2021 to 1/1/2028): Class A — a term of years not less than ten years and not to exceed thirty years, or life imprisonment; Class B — not less than five years and not to exceed fifteen years; Class C — not less than three years and not to exceed ten years; Class D — a term of years not to exceed seven years; Class E — not to exceed four years. Fines: a class C, D or E felony may carry a fine not exceeding $10,000 (§ 558.002); the fine section does not list a fine for class A or B felonies. Where the person gained money or property, a fine of up to double the gain may be imposed instead.
What are the misdemeanor classes and penalties in Missouri?
Class A misdemeanor — a term not to exceed one year and a fine not exceeding $2,000; Class B — not to exceed six months and $1,000; Class C — not to exceed fifteen days and $750; Class D misdemeanor — fine not exceeding $500 (no jail term is listed in § 558.011). Infraction — fine not exceeding $400.
How much do you have to steal for it to be a felony in Missouri?
Stealing is a class D felony when 'the value of the property or services appropriated is seven hundred fifty dollars or more' (§ 570.030.5(1)), and a class C felony when the value 'is twenty-five thousand dollars or more' or the property is a teller machine or its contents (§ 570.030.4). Some property is a felony regardless of value — e.g., an animal or a catalytic converter is a class E felony (§ 570.030.6); livestock valued over $10,000 is a class B felony; listed anhydrous ammonia property is a class A felony. Stealing is a class D misdemeanor for unlisted property under $150 with no prior stealing-related findings of guilt, and otherwise a class A misdemeanor if no other penalty is specified (§ 570.030.7-.8).
Is Missouri a stand your ground state?
Missouri has a stand-your-ground rule. A person does not have a duty to retreat from a dwelling, residence or vehicle where the person is not unlawfully entering or unlawfully remaining, from private property owned or leased by the individual, or 'If the person is in any other location such person has the right to be' (§ 563.031.3). Deadly force is permitted when the person reasonably believes it is necessary to protect himself or herself, her unborn child, or another against death, serious physical injury, or any forcible felony (§ 563.031.2(1)). The defendant has the burden of injecting the issue of justification (§ 563.031.5). Current version effective October 14, 2016 (S.B. 656, veto overridden September 14, 2016).
Does Missouri have a castle doctrine?
Deadly force may be used against a person who unlawfully enters, remains after unlawfully entering, or attempts to unlawfully enter a dwelling, residence, or vehicle lawfully occupied by the person; and against a person who unlawfully enters or attempts to enter private property owned or leased by an individual, or occupied by an individual with the owner's authority (§ 563.031.2(2)-(3)). When a defendant claims the dwelling/residence/vehicle justification, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not reasonably believe the use of force was necessary (§ 563.031.5). Immunity: a person who uses force as described in §§ 563.031 to 563.061 'is justified in using such force and such fact shall be an absolute defense to criminal prosecution or civil liability'; in a civil action where the court finds this defense applies, the court shall award the defendant attorney's fees, court costs and all reasonable expenses (§ 563.074).
What is the statute of limitations for crimes in Missouri?
No limit: murder, rape in the first degree, forcible rape, sodomy in the first degree, forcible sodomy, attempts to commit any of these, and any class A felony may be prosecuted at any time (§ 556.036.1); prosecutions for unlawful sexual offenses involving a person eighteen years of age or under may be commenced at any time (§ 556.037). Otherwise: felonies — three years; misdemeanors — one year; infractions — six months; five years for a class B felony under § 569.040 or offenses under §§ 569.050 or 569.055 (§ 556.036.2). Extensions apply for fraud or breach of fiduciary duty, misconduct in office, and certain child support claims (§ 556.036.3).
How does bail work in Missouri?
'That all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses, when the proof is evident or the presumption great' (Mo. Const. art. I, § 20). By statute, a person charged with a bailable offense may be released on personal recognizance unless the judge finds that release will not reasonably assure the person's appearance; the judge may then impose conditions such as supervised custody, travel or association limits, a bail bond or cash deposit, reporting, or house arrest with electronic monitoring (§ 544.455.1). The judge considers the nature of the offense, the weight of the evidence, family ties, employment, financial resources, character and mental condition, length of residence, criminal record, and record of court appearances (§ 544.455.2). Conditions are reviewed for a person still detained after 24 hours because the person cannot meet them.
How do you get a public defender in Missouri?
The state public defender system represents eligible indigent persons. Eligibility is determined by the state public defender (or a person working under the defender) based on the person's 'ability to make bond, his income and the number of persons dependent on him for support.' A person claiming indigency files an affidavit with the court containing the information the public defender commission requires; either party may ask the court where the case is pending to decide whether the public defender may represent the defendant. Knowingly making a false affidavit to obtain services is a class A misdemeanor. The section does not set an application fee.
What is the age of consent in Missouri?
Statutory rape in the first degree: sexual intercourse with 'another person who is less than fourteen years of age' (§ 566.032; life or not less than ten years). Statutory rape in the second degree: a person 'twenty-one years of age or older' who has sexual intercourse with 'another person who is less than seventeen years of age' (§ 566.034; class D felony). Under 14, it is no defense that the defendant believed the child was older, and consent is not a defense; where the victim must be under 17, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant reasonably believed the child was seventeen or older (§ 566.020).
Is marijuana legal in Missouri?
Adult-use marijuana is legal under Article XIV, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution (adopted November 8, 2022). Persons 21 or older may possess 'three ounces or less of dried, unprocessed marijuana, or its equivalent' (§ 10.1(a)); registered adults may cultivate up to six flowering plants, six nonflowering plants, and six clones at a private residence in a locked space (§ 10.1(b)). Possessing more than the limit but not more than twice the limit: first violation — civil infraction, civil penalty not exceeding $250 and forfeiture; second — civil penalty not exceeding $500; third or subsequent — misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 (§ 10.6). Smoking in a public place outside a licensed area — civil penalty not exceeding $100 (§ 10.4).
Is assault a felony in Missouri?
Missouri grades assault in four degrees. Simple assault is assault in the fourth degree: attempting to cause or recklessly causing physical injury, physical pain or illness, purposely putting someone in fear of immediate physical injury, or knowingly making physical contact the person will regard as offensive or provocative. It is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine), but the fear-of-injury and offensive-contact forms are only a class C misdemeanor (up to fifteen days and $750) unless the victim is a 'special victim'. Knowingly causing physical injury is third-degree assault, a class E felony (up to four years); injuring someone with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or recklessly causing serious physical injury, is second-degree assault, a class D felony (up to seven years). Attempting to kill or knowingly causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury is first-degree assault, a class B felony (five to fifteen years), or a class A felony (ten to thirty years or life) if serious physical injury is inflicted or the victim is a special victim.
Is battery a felony in Missouri?
Missouri has no separate crime called battery. Offensive or harmful touching is charged as assault: knowingly causing physical contact with another person knowing they will regard it as offensive or provocative is assault in the fourth degree, a class C misdemeanor (up to fifteen days in jail and a $750 fine), or a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) if the victim is a 'special victim'. Contact that causes physical injury is charged as a higher degree of assault (see assault).
Is domestic violence a felony in Missouri?
Missouri has separate domestic assault crimes, in four degrees, when the victim is a 'domestic victim' (defined in § 565.002). Domestic assault in the fourth degree (for example attempting or recklessly causing physical injury or pain, putting the victim in fear of immediate injury, offensive contact, or isolating the victim by cutting off access to other people, phones or transportation) is a class A misdemeanor, but becomes a class E felony if the person has two or more prior findings of guilt for domestic assault, any assault, or an offense against a domestic victim. Attempting to cause physical injury or knowingly causing physical pain or illness to a domestic victim is third-degree domestic assault, a class E felony (up to four years). Knowingly causing physical injury by any means, including a deadly weapon or by choking or strangulation, is second-degree domestic assault, a class D felony (up to seven years). Attempting to kill or causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury is first-degree domestic assault, a class B felony, or a class A felony if serious physical injury is inflicted.
What is the penalty for shoplifting in Missouri?
Missouri has no separate shoplifting crime; taking merchandise is charged as stealing. Stealing is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500) when the property is under $150, is not a specially listed type, and the person has no prior findings of guilt for a stealing-related offense; otherwise low-value stealing is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000). Stealing becomes a class E felony (up to four years) when the person has previously been found guilty of three stealing-related offenses committed on three separate occasions within ten years of the current offense. Willfully concealing unpurchased merchandise is presumed to show intent to steal, and a merchant may detain a suspect in a reasonable manner for a reasonable time without being liable for false arrest.
What is the difference between burglary and robbery in Missouri?
Burglary in the second degree is knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building or inhabitable structure to commit a crime there, or unlawfully entering a motor vehicle to commit a felony or stealing; it is a class D felony (up to seven years), or a class C felony (three to ten years) for a car break-in where the person had or stole a firearm. Entering a marked or staff-only restricted area of a business to commit a crime is a class B misdemeanor (class A on a repeat). Burglary in the first degree, a class B felony (five to fifteen years), applies when the burglar or an accomplice is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon, causes or threatens immediate physical injury to a non-participant, or someone who is not a participant is present in the structure. Robbery is forcibly stealing property: second-degree robbery (causing physical injury in the course of it) is a class B felony, and first-degree robbery (causing serious physical injury, being armed with a deadly weapon, using or threatening a dangerous instrument, displaying what appears to be a deadly weapon, or stealing a controlled substance from a pharmacy) is a class A felony (ten to thirty years or life).
Is vandalism a felony in Missouri?
Vandalism is called property damage in Missouri. Knowingly damaging another person's property is property damage in the second degree, a class B misdemeanor (up to six months and $1,000), or a class A misdemeanor if the victim was targeted as a law enforcement officer or an officer's close relative. It becomes property damage in the first degree, a class E felony (up to four years), when the damage exceeds seven hundred fifty dollars (or is done to defraud an insurer); it is a class D felony if a law enforcement officer was targeted. Damaging a vehicle while breaking in to steal is a class D felony (class B for a repeat), and damaging a teller machine is a class D felony or higher.
Is trespassing a crime in Missouri?
Trespass in the first degree is knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building or inhabitable structure, or on land that is fenced or enclosed to keep intruders out or where notice against trespass was given in person or by posting. It is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine), a class A misdemeanor if the victim is targeted as a law enforcement officer or an officer's close relative, and a class E felony if the property is part of a nuclear power plant. Simply entering unlawfully on someone else's land, without the notice or fencing required for first degree, is trespass in the second degree, an infraction (fine up to $400).
What are the penalties for drug possession in Missouri?
Knowingly possessing any controlled substance other than small amounts of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids is a class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Knowingly using or possessing drug paraphernalia with intent to use it with a controlled substance is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500), or a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) if the person has a prior controlled-substance offense; paraphernalia possessed in combination to make methamphetamine or amphetamine is a class E felony.
Is a hit and run a felony in Missouri?
A driver (or vessel operator) who knows they were in an accident that caused injury, death or property damage and leaves without stopping and giving identifying information commits leaving the scene of an accident. It is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) for a property-damage-only crash. It is a class E felony (up to four years) if physical injury was caused to another party, if property damage was over one thousand dollars, or if the driver has a qualifying prior offense, and a class D felony (up to seven years) if someone died as a result of the accident. A state conviction for leaving the scene adds 12 points to the driver's record.
Is reckless driving a crime in Missouri?
Missouri's reckless-driving offense is called careless and imprudent driving: every driver must use the highest degree of care and drive in a careful and prudent manner, at a speed that does not endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person; stunt driving is also prohibited. It is a criminal offense, a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine), or a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) when an accident is involved. A state careless and imprudent driving conviction counts 4 points against the license (2 points for a city or county ordinance violation).
Is harassment a crime in Missouri?
Harassment in the second degree is acting, without good cause, with the purpose of causing emotional distress to another person; it is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year), or a class E felony on a repeat offense. If the act actually causes emotional distress, it is harassment in the first degree, a class E felony (up to four years). Stalking in the second degree is purposely disturbing or following someone through a course of conduct, a class A misdemeanor (class E felony with a qualifying prior or when a law enforcement officer is targeted). Stalking becomes first-degree stalking, a class E felony, when it involves a credible threat to the person, family, household or animals, violates a protection order or probation/parole/bond conditions, targets someone 17 or younger by a person 21 or older, follows prior domestic-assault or protection-order convictions, or involves accessing an address-confidentiality participant's address; it is a class D felony (up to seven years) with a prior stalking conviction or when a law enforcement officer is targeted.
Is resisting arrest a felony in Missouri?
Resisting or interfering with arrest, detention or stop is knowingly resisting an officer's arrest, stop or detention by using or threatening violence or physical force or by fleeing, or interfering with another person's arrest by force or physical interference. It is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000), but a class E felony (up to four years) when the arrest is for a felony or for a warrant on a felony failure-to-appear or felony probation violation, or when the person fleeing creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to anyone. A driver who keeps driving after seeing emergency lights or hearing a siren from a pursuing police vehicle is presumed to be fleeing a vehicle stop, and a vehicle used in a felony violation may be impounded and forfeited.
What happens if you miss a court date in Missouri?
Missing court is a crime called failure to appear when a person released on a recognizance or bond, at any stage of a criminal case (including probation or parole revocation), knowingly fails to appear in court as required; it is in addition to forfeiting any bond. It is a class E felony (up to 4 years) if the case included a felony, a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and a $2,000 fine) if the case involved misdemeanors but no felony, and an infraction if the case involved only infractions or a municipal ordinance violation. The court may also punish the person for contempt.
What happens if you violate probation in Missouri?
The prosecutor may file a motion to revoke probation, or the court may order the probationer to appear to answer a violation charge; the court may issue an arrest warrant and suspend the probation term while the motion is pending (§ 559.036.7). Probation 'shall not be revoked without giving the probationer notice and an opportunity to be heard' on whether a condition was violated and whether revocation is warranted, and at least five business days before the hearing the judge must tell the probationer he or she may have the right to ask for appointed counsel (§ 559.036.6). On a violation the court may continue probation, modify or enlarge the conditions, or extend the term (§ 559.036.2-.3). For many class D or E felony and drug cases, unless the probationer consents to revocation, the court must first order a 120-day Department of Corrections program instead of revoking, unless the violation involves absconding, a new arrest or offense, weapons, or a stay-away condition (§ 559.036.4). Otherwise the court may revoke and execute the sentence already imposed, or impose any authorized sentence if sentencing had been suspended (§ 559.036.5).
Is obstruction of justice a felony in Missouri?
Missouri has no single 'obstruction of justice' crime; several offenses cover it. Obstructing government operations (purposely obstructing a government function by violence, force, threats or physical interference) is a class B misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if the person uses violence or force (§ 576.030). Tampering with a witness or victim (using threats, force, deception or benefits to make a witness skip a subpoena, withhold evidence or testify falsely, or dissuading a victim from reporting or prosecuting) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class D felony (up to 7 years) if the original charge is a felony, and those convicted are not eligible for parole (§ 575.270). Hindering prosecution (hiding or helping someone avoid arrest) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony if the other person's conduct is a felony (§ 575.030).
Is perjury a felony in Missouri?
Perjury is knowingly testifying falsely, with the purpose to deceive, to a material fact under oath in an official proceeding. It is a class E felony (up to 4 years) in a proceeding not involving a felony charge and a class D felony (up to 7 years) in a proceeding involving a felony charge; it is a class B felony if committed during a criminal trial to convict someone of a felony other than murder, and a class A felony if done to convict someone of murder. Retracting the false statement in the same proceeding before the lie is exposed is a defense. A related offense, making a false affidavit, is a class C misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if done to mislead a public servant.
Is public intoxication a crime in Missouri?
Being drunk in public is not something Missouri counties or cities may punish: no county or municipality 'may adopt or enforce a law, rule or ordinance which authorizes or requires arrest or punishment for public intoxication or being a common or habitual drunkard or alcoholic' (§ 67.305). Instead, a peace officer may take a person who appears intoxicated or incapacitated to the person's home, a treatment service or another appropriate local facility (which may include a jail if necessary) for custody of up to twelve hours (§ 67.315). Drunk driving and other crimes committed while intoxicated can still be charged (§ 67.310).
What is a disorderly conduct charge in Missouri?
Disorderly conduct is called peace disturbance in Missouri: unreasonably and knowingly disturbing or alarming others by loud noise, face-to-face offensive language likely to provoke an immediate violent response, threatening a felony, fighting, or creating a noxious odor, or unreasonably blocking traffic or the entrance to a place while in public or on another's property without consent. A first conviction is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and a $1,000 fine); a second or subsequent conviction is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000). On a third or subsequent conviction the person must pay a fine of $1,000 to $5,000.
What is the penalty for indecent exposure in Missouri?
Indecent exposure is charged as sexual misconduct in the first degree: exposing one's genitals when the person knows it is likely to cause affront or alarm, having sexual contact in front of others when likely to cause affront or alarm, or having sex in a public place in front of a third person. It is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and a $1,000 fine), or a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000) if the person has a prior finding of guilt for a chapter 566 sex offense in Missouri or a similar offense elsewhere.
Is prostitution illegal in Missouri?
Prostitution (engaging in, offering or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct for something of value) is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months), but a class B felony (5 to 15 years) if the person knew beforehand that he or she had HIV; a person under 18 cannot be charged and is treated as an abuse victim (§ 567.020). Buying sex, called patronizing prostitution, is a class E felony (up to 4 years); it is a class D felony if the person patronized is under 18 but older than 15, and a class B felony if the person is fifteen or younger (§ 567.030, version effective August 28, 2026). A judge may order drug and alcohol treatment for someone found guilty of prostitution and, for the misdemeanor, may allow the guilty plea to be withdrawn after successful completion.
Is gambling legal in Missouri?
Legal gambling in Missouri is set by the state constitution: a state lottery (art. III, § 39(b)); on-track pari-mutuel betting on horse racing if authorized by law (art. III, § 39(c)); casino games on excursion gambling boats and floating facilities on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers only (art. III, § 39(e)); and, since voter approval in 2024, sports wagering by licensed operators online to people physically in Missouri, at the riverboat casinos, and at approved locations in pro-sports districts, for people 21 and older, starting no later than December 1, 2025 (art. III, § 39(g)). The Missouri Gaming Commission states 'Online casinos are illegal in Missouri.' Gambling outside these exceptions is a class C misdemeanor (up to 15 days), a class B misdemeanor if done with a child under 17, and a class A misdemeanor for a professional player (§ 572.020); promoting gambling in the first degree (e.g., bookmaking over $100 a day or operating a slot machine) is a class E felony (§ 572.030).
Is embezzlement a felony in Missouri?
Missouri has no separate embezzlement offense in its theft law; an employee or other person who takes property or services of another without consent or by deceit is charged with stealing, graded by value. Stealing is a class D misdemeanor for unlisted property under $150 with no prior stealing-related findings of guilt, and otherwise a class A misdemeanor if no other penalty applies (§ 570.030.7-.8). It is a class D felony (up to 7 years) when the value is $750 or more and a class C felony (3 to 10 years) when the value is $25,000 or more (§ 570.030.4-.5).
Is identity theft a felony in Missouri?
Identity theft is knowingly obtaining, possessing, transferring or using someone else's means of identification with intent to deceive or defraud. It is a class B misdemeanor; a class A misdemeanor if it results in theft of up to $750; a class D felony if over $750 up to $25,000; a class C felony if over $25,000 up to $75,000; and a class B felony if over $75,000. A repeat identity theft involving $750 or less is a class E felony, and victims may sue for up to $5,000 per incident or triple damages (§ 570.223). Credit or debit card fraud (using a stolen, forged, revoked or otherwise unauthorized card) is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony if $750 or more is obtained or sought within 30 days (§ 570.130).
Is forgery a felony in Missouri?
Forgery is making, altering or authenticating a writing (or other item such as a receipt or product code) so it falsely appears genuine, or using or passing such an item as genuine, with the purpose to defraud; it is a class D felony (up to 7 years) (§ 570.090). Passing a bad check knowing it will not be paid, or with insufficient funds and failing to pay within ten days after written notice, is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony (up to 4 years) if the check or checks total $750 or more within a ten-day course of conduct or the writer had no account with the bank (§ 570.120).
Is blackmail illegal in Missouri?
Blackmail and extortion are charged in Missouri as stealing by coercion: appropriating another's property 'by means of deceit or coercion' (§ 570.030.1). 'Coercion' includes a threat to commit any offense, to injure someone in the future, to accuse someone of an offense, to expose someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule, to harm someone's credit or business reputation, or to take or withhold official action; a threat is justified if the property was honestly claimed as restitution or compensation (§ 570.010). The grade follows the stealing value tiers, from a misdemeanor up to a class D felony at $750 or more and a class C felony at $25,000 or more.
What is the difference between first and second degree murder in Missouri?
First-degree murder is knowingly causing a death after deliberation (cool reflection); it is a class A felony punished, for adults, only by death or life without probation or parole. For someone under 18 it is life without parole, life with parole eligibility, or 30 to 40 years. Second-degree murder is knowingly causing a death, or causing a death while intending serious physical injury, or a death during the commission of or flight from any felony (felony murder); it is a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life), added to the sentence for the related felony.
What is the sentence for manslaughter in Missouri?
Voluntary manslaughter is a killing that would be second-degree murder but done under sudden passion arising from adequate cause, or knowingly helping someone commit suicide; it is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). Involuntary manslaughter in the first degree (recklessly causing a death) is a class C felony (3 to 10 years), and in the second degree (criminal negligence) a class E felony (up to 4 years); each is one class higher if the victim was targeted as a police officer or an officer's close relative. Causing a death through criminal negligence while driving intoxicated is charged under the DWI statute as at least a class B felony, with no parole or probation until five years are served; a repeat after such a conviction is a class A felony with a ten-year minimum.
Is child endangerment a felony in Missouri?
Endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree (knowingly creating a substantial risk to the life, body or health of a child under 18, a caretaker's sexual conduct with the child, encouraging a child to commit weapons or drug crimes, or making or handling fentanyl or methamphetamine around a child) is a class D felony (up to 7 years). It rises to a class C felony with physical injury, a repeat offense or a pattern by two or more people, a class B felony with serious physical injury or fentanyl, and a class A felony if the child dies. Second-degree endangerment (criminal negligence toward a child under 17, or encouraging a child into delinquent conduct or a public nuisance) is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000), or a class E felony if part of a pattern by two or more people.
Is arson a felony in Missouri?
Arson in the first degree is knowingly damaging a building or inhabitable structure by fire or explosion while someone is present or nearby and recklessly endangering them, or damaging a building while trying to make methamphetamine; it is a class B felony (5 to 15 years), or a class A felony if anyone is seriously injured or killed. Arson in the second degree is knowingly damaging a building by fire or explosion, a class D felony (up to 7 years), or class B if someone is seriously injured or killed; burning one's own building for a lawful purpose with everyone's consent is a defense. Knowingly burning or exploding someone else's property is a class E felony (up to 4 years).
Is animal cruelty a felony in Missouri?
Animal abuse (intentionally killing an animal in a way not allowed by law, purposely causing it injury or suffering, or an owner knowingly failing to provide adequate care resulting in substantial harm) is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000). It is a class E felony (up to 4 years) for a repeat offender or when the suffering comes from torture or mutilation inflicted while the animal was alive. Animal neglect (failing to provide adequate care, or abandoning an animal) is a class C misdemeanor, or class B for a repeat; the court may order the owner to pay care costs. No ownership ban was found in these sections.
Is revenge porn illegal in Missouri?
Yes. Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is intentionally sharing an image of an identifiable person engaged in a sexual act or with intimate parts exposed, to harass, threaten or coerce, when the image was obtained under circumstances showing it was to remain private and the sharer knew or should have known the person did not consent. It is a class D felony (up to 7 years), or a class C felony (3 to 10 years) if the image is of a minor or a vulnerable person. The person shown may also sue for $10,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees.
Is cyberbullying a crime in Missouri?
Missouri's harassment laws cover any act, including electronic messages, done without good cause and with the purpose of causing emotional distress. Harassment in the first degree (the person actually suffers emotional distress) is a class E felony (up to 4 years). Harassment in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000), or a class E felony for a repeat offender. Separately, every school district must have an antibullying policy that covers cyberbullying, but that law sets no criminal penalty.
What are the sexting laws for minors in Missouri?
No separate sexting offense or diversion rule for minors was found in the statutes read. Missouri's laws on creating child sexual abuse material (sexual exploitation of a minor: class B felony, class A if the minor is under 14) and on possessing it (class D felony for one still image, class B for more than 20 images or any video, or a repeat) do not state an exception for minors who send or keep images of themselves or peers.
Is money laundering a felony in Missouri?
Money laundering is conducting or attempting a financial transaction (including cryptocurrency) to promote criminal activity, or to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership or control of criminal proceeds, among other listed purposes. It is a class B felony (5 to 15 years), and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater, may also be assessed. The statute has no amount tiers.
What are the human trafficking laws in Missouri?
Trafficking a person for slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage or forced labor, and abusing a person through forced labor, are felonies with 5 to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000; if death results or the crime includes kidnapping, serious sexual abuse or an attempt to kill, the range rises (five years to life for trafficking, ten years to life for forced labor). Sex trafficking of an adult is 5 to 20 years and up to $250,000, or ten years to life if done by force, abduction or coercion. Sex trafficking of a child under 18 (second degree) carries 20 years to life, life without parole for 25 years if by force, and life if committed by a parent or guardian; for a child under 14 (first degree) it is life without parole until 30 years are served. Believing the child was older is not a defense.
Is jaywalking illegal in Missouri?
Missouri's pedestrian rules are in the Model Traffic Ordinance (RSMo chapter 300), which applies in cities that adopt it: drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks where signals are not operating, pedestrians may not suddenly step off a curb into the path of a vehicle too close to stop, and outside a crosswalk a pedestrian must cross at right angles or by the shortest route. The statutes read do not set a state penalty; penalties come from the adopting city's ordinance.
What is the open container law in Missouri?
The statute found bars the driver from consuming any alcoholic beverage while operating a moving vehicle on a public road; it is an infraction (a fine of up to $400, no jail) and is not reported on the driver's Department of Revenue record. No statewide statute barring passengers from having or drinking from an open container was found.
What happens if you are caught drinking under 21 in Missouri?
A person under 21 who buys or tries to buy, or possesses, intoxicating liquor, is visibly intoxicated, or has a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or more commits a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500) for a first offense and a class A misdemeanor for a second. A person 17 to 20 who claims to be 21 to get liquor commits a misdemeanor, and using an altered or fake license or ID to get liquor carries a $500 fine for each offense; altering or misrepresenting a license is a misdemeanor with up to $1,000 and/or one year. The court must suspend or revoke the driving privileges of a person over 15 and under 21 found to have violated the minor-in-possession law, and of a person under 21 who commits an alcohol-related driving offense or uses an altered license.
What happens if you drive on a suspended license in Missouri?
Driving while one's license is cancelled, suspended or revoked, with criminal negligence as to knowing it, is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500) for a first offense and a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) for a second or third. A fourth or later offense within ten years (or a third if the person has a prior alcohol-related enforcement contact) is a class E felony (up to 4 years), with at least 48 hours served or community service before probation or parole.
What is the penalty for driving without a license in Missouri?
Driving on a highway without a valid license is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500) for a first offense, a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) for a second, and a class E felony (up to 4 years) for a third or later. A licensed driver must carry the license while driving and show it to an officer on demand; failing to show it is presumptive evidence that the driver is unlicensed.
What knives are legal to carry in Missouri?
Missouri's weapons law defines a 'knife' as a dagger, dirk, stiletto or other bladed hand instrument readily capable of inflicting serious injury, but not an ordinary pocketknife with no blade over four inches. Carrying such a knife concealed into an area where firearms are restricted under § 571.107, or carrying it into a church, a polling place on election day, or a government building, is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months and $1,000); carrying any weapon readily capable of lethal use into a school, onto a school bus or to a school event is also unlawful use of a weapon, and exhibiting a weapon in an angry or threatening manner is a class E felony. Possessing, making, transporting or selling a switchblade knife (one that opens by a button, gravity or centrifugal force) is a class D felony only when done in violation of federal law; possessing metal knuckles is a class A misdemeanor.
Are fireworks legal in Missouri?
Consumer fireworks may be sold by permitted sellers; seasonal retailers may sell only from June 20 to July 10 and from December 20 to January 2. It is unlawful to sell fireworks to a child under 14 unless a parent or guardian is present, to set off consumer fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, mental health facility or school or within 100 feet of where fireworks are sold, or to throw them from or at a vehicle or at people. Cherry bombs, M-80s and other ground salutes exceeding consumer limits are banned. Violating the fireworks law is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000); possessing, selling or making the banned ground salutes is a class D felony (up to 7 years).
Is kidnapping a felony in Missouri?
Missouri has three degrees of kidnapping. First-degree kidnapping (unlawfully moving or confining someone for a substantial period to hold them for ransom, use them as a shield or hostage, interfere with government, or to commit a felony or injure or terrorize them) is a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life), or a class B felony (5 to 15 years) when done to commit a felony or to injure or terrorize. Second-degree kidnapping (restraint that exposes the person to a substantial risk of serious physical injury) is a class D felony (up to 7 years). Third-degree kidnapping (unlawful restraint that substantially interferes with liberty) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year), or a class E felony (up to 4 years) if the person is taken out of state. Child kidnapping (a non-relative taking or confining a child under 14 without parental consent) is a class A felony.
Is making a threat a crime in Missouri?
Missouri's threat crimes are called making a terrorist threat. Knowingly communicating a threat (or false report) of danger to life with the purpose of frightening 10 or more people or causing a building, gathering place or transit facility to be evacuated or closed is first degree, a class D felony (up to 7 years). Doing so while recklessly disregarding that risk is second degree, a class E felony (up to 4 years), and with criminal negligence is third degree, a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000). Threats aimed at one person may instead be charged as harassment; first-degree harassment (an act meant to and that does cause emotional distress) is a class E felony.
Is stealing a car a felony in Missouri?
Stealing a car (charged as stealing) is a class D felony regardless of the vehicle's value, punishable by up to 7 years. It becomes a class B felony (5 to 15 years) if the person has two prior stealing-related offenses on separate occasions within 10 years. Knowingly receiving, possessing, selling or operating a car, motorcycle, boat or other motor vehicle without the owner's consent (joyriding, called tampering in the first degree) is also a class D felony.
Is receiving stolen property a felony in Missouri?
Missouri has no separate receiving-stolen-property crime; receiving, keeping or disposing of property knowing or believing it was stolen is charged as stealing. The grade follows value: under $150 with no prior stealing offense is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500); otherwise a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year); $750 or more is a class D felony (up to 7 years); $25,000 or more is a class C felony (3 to 10 years). Certain items are felonies at any value (for example a motor vehicle or firearm), and values from one scheme or course of conduct may be added together.
What is organized retail theft in Missouri?
Missouri treats organized retail theft as a form of stealing. It covers stealing from businesses as part of an agreement between one or more people, knowingly receiving or possessing such stolen goods, and organizing, financing or managing a scheme to sell them; separate acts that are part of an ongoing agreement may be added together regardless of where or when they happened. When the property taken plus any damage is $750 or more but less than $10,000, it is a class C felony (3 to 10 years); at $10,000 or more it is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). The attorney general may prosecute these cases at a local prosecutor's written request.
What counts as drug trafficking in Missouri?
Selling or delivering a controlled substance, or possessing it with intent to distribute (called delivery of a controlled substance), is a class C felony (3 to 10 years); 35 grams or less of marijuana is a class E felony, and delivery to someone under 17 who is at least 2 years younger is a class B felony. Trafficking in the first degree (distributing, manufacturing or attempting to, above set amounts, such as more than 30 grams of heroin or methamphetamine, more than 150 grams of cocaine, more than 3 milligrams of fentanyl, or any carfentanil) is a class B felony (5 to 15 years), and a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life) at larger amounts, such as 90 grams or more of heroin or methamphetamine, 450 grams or more of cocaine, or 14 milligrams or more of fentanyl. Trafficking in the second degree (possessing or buying those amounts) is a class C, B or A felony depending on quantity.
Is prescription fraud a felony in Missouri?
Getting or trying to get a controlled substance by fraud (called fraudulently attempting to obtain a controlled substance) includes making false statements in a prescription or record, pretending to be a doctor, pharmacist or other authorized person, writing or passing a forged prescription, putting a false label on a drug package, or possessing a forged prescription to obtain drugs. It is a class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years. Information given to a doctor in an effort to get drugs unlawfully is not privileged.
What is vehicular assault in Missouri?
Injuring someone while driving drunk is charged under the driving-while-intoxicated statute. If an intoxicated driver acts with criminal negligence to cause physical injury, it is a class D felony (up to 7 years); serious physical injury is a class C felony (3 to 10 years); and death is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). Recklessly causing serious physical injury to another person, including by driving, can also be charged as second-degree assault, a class D felony.
What is the penalty for boating under the influence in Missouri?
Boating while intoxicated (operating a vessel in an intoxicated condition) and boating with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more are each a class B misdemeanor for a first offense (up to 6 months and $1,000) and a class A misdemeanor for a prior boating offender or when a child under 17 is aboard. Repeat offenses rise to class E through class B felonies as the offender becomes persistent, aggravated, chronic or habitual. Causing physical injury by criminal negligence while boating intoxicated is a class E felony, serious physical injury a class D felony, and death a class C felony (higher if the victim is a police officer or emergency worker). A first offender can get a suspended imposition of sentence only with at least 2 years of probation (or a DWI court program for .15% or more).
Is insurance fraud a felony in Missouri?
A 'fraudulent insurance act' means knowingly presenting or preparing materially false information (or hiding material facts) in an insurance application or claim, including medical billing schemes such as unbundling, upcoding, exploding or duplicating claims. A first offense is a class E felony (up to 4 years); a repeat offense is a class D felony (up to 7 years). The statute does not grade the offense by amount.
What happens if you commit welfare or unemployment fraud in Missouri?
Knowingly receiving or using public assistance benefits or EBT cards one is not entitled to is a class A misdemeanor, or a class E felony (up to 4 years) at $750 or more or on a second offense, and a class D felony for further felony offenses; full restitution is required, and probation does not end until it is paid. Making a signed, false written statement to get public assistance (perjury for the purpose of obtaining public assistance) follows the same $750 line. Obtaining benefits by false statements or failing to report income may also be charged as stealing. Unemployment benefits fraud is a class A misdemeanor plus a civil penalty up to the value of the fraud, and a class E felony for a repeat offender.
Is bribery a felony in Missouri?
Bribery of a public servant (knowingly offering, giving or agreeing to give any benefit in return for a public servant's vote, decision or other official action, or for breaking a legal duty) is a class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years and a fine up to $10,000. Commercial bribery (an employee, agent, fiduciary, professional adviser or similar person taking a benefit to violate a duty of loyalty, or someone offering it) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000).
What are the penalties for tax evasion in Missouri?
Willfully trying to evade or defeat Missouri income tax, or willfully (with intent to defraud) failing to pay the tax, file a return, keep records or supply information, is punished by a fine up to $10,000, up to 1 year in the county jail, or 2 to 5 years in the state penitentiary, or both fine and imprisonment, plus costs of prosecution. Willfully signing a return or document under penalty of perjury that one does not believe is true, or helping prepare a fraudulent one, carries the same penalty.
What are the penalties for sexual assault in Missouri?
Missouri's main sexual assault crimes are rape and sodomy. Rape in the first degree (sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, including drugging the victim, or with a person who is incapacitated or cannot consent) carries life imprisonment or a term of not less than 5 years, at least 15 years if it is an aggravated sexual offense, and life without parole for at least 30 years if the victim is under 12; probation is not allowed. Sodomy in the first degree is punished the same way (at least 10 years if aggravated). Rape in the second degree (intercourse knowing the person did not consent) is a class D felony (up to 7 years). Sexual abuse in the first degree (sexual contact by force or with an incapacitated person) is a class C felony (class B if the victim is under 14 or it is aggravated), and sexual abuse in the second degree (contact without consent) is a class A misdemeanor. Age-based offenses are covered on the age-of-consent page.
What are the penalties for child molestation in Missouri?
Child molestation in the first degree (sexual contact with a child under 14 that is an aggravated sexual offense) is a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life), served without probation or parole if the child is under 12. Child molestation in the second degree (sexual contact with a child under 12, or an aggravated sexual offense by someone more than four years older against a child under 17) is a class B felony (5 to 15 years). Rape or sodomy in the first degree of a child under 12 carries life imprisonment, with no parole for at least 30 years, and sexual abuse in the first degree of a child under 14 is a class B felony.
What are the child pornography laws in Missouri?
Missouri now calls child pornography 'child sexual abuse material.' Possessing it is a class D felony (up to 7 years) for one still image and a class B felony (5 to 15 years) for more than twenty still images, any video, or a repeat offense, and each item can be punished separately. Promoting (distributing) material of a child under 14, or possessing it with intent to promote, is a class B felony with no probation or parole for three years, and a class A felony if promoted to a minor. Producing it (sexual exploitation of a minor) is a class B felony, or a class A felony (10 to 30 years or life) if the victim is a child.
Is online solicitation of a minor a felony in Missouri?
Grooming or enticement of a minor (by any means, including online, a person more than four years older trying to persuade, solicit or lure a minor under 18 to engage in sexual conduct, a sexual performance or a commercial sex act) is a felony punishable by 5 to 30 years in prison, with no parole for five years. If the minor actually engages in the conduct, the minimum is 10 years with no parole, probation or suspended sentence for ten years, and the sentence runs consecutively to any other crime. It is no defense that the 'minor' was an undercover officer, and the court must order restitution to the victim.
What happens if you fail to register as a sex offender in Missouri?
People found guilty of offenses that make them tier I, II or III sex offenders (including out-of-state offenders who live, work or study in Missouri, and certain juveniles 14 or older adjudicated for the most serious offenses) must register within three business days of adjudication or release. Registration lasts 15 years for tier I, 25 years for tier II and life for tier III, and registrants may petition for removal only in limited cases. Changes of name, address, job or school must be reported in person within three business days; tier I offenders verify annually, tier II every six months and tier III every 90 days. Failing to register is a class E felony (up to 4 years), or a class D felony (up to 7 years) if the underlying offense was a serious sex offense; a third offense carries 10 to 30 years with electronic monitoring on release.
Can a felon own a gun in Missouri?
It is unlawful possession of a firearm for a person convicted of a felony in Missouri (or of an out-of-state or federal crime that would be a felony in Missouri) to knowingly possess a firearm; the ban also covers fugitives, people habitually intoxicated or drugged, and people adjudged mentally incompetent. It is a class C felony (3 to 10 years), or a class B felony (5 to 15 years) if the person was convicted of a dangerous felony or has a prior unlawful-possession conviction. Antique firearms are exempt from the felon ban.
Is hacking a crime in Missouri?
Missouri's computer tampering laws cover tampering with computer data (altering, destroying, taking or disclosing data or passwords without authorization, or accessing a computer to examine information about another person), tampering with computer equipment, and tampering with computer users (unauthorized access or denying service to an authorized user). Each is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year), or a class E felony (up to 4 years) when done to defraud or obtain property worth $750 or more; damaging equipment or systems by $750 or more is a class E felony, and by $25,000 or more a class D felony (up to 7 years).
Is Missouri a one-party consent state?
Missouri is a one-party consent state: it is not illegal for a person who is a party to a phone call, or who has the prior consent of one party, to intercept or record it, unless it is done to commit a criminal or tortious act. Illegally intercepting a wire communication, or using certain devices to intercept an oral communication, or knowingly disclosing or using illegally intercepted contents, is a class E felony (up to 4 years).
Is filing a false police report a crime in Missouri?
Making a false report is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and $1,000). It covers knowingly giving false information to implicate another person in a crime, falsely reporting to police that a crime has occurred or is about to occur, and falsely reporting a fire or other emergency to police, fire or emergency agencies. It is a defense that the person took back the false report before anyone took substantial action relying on it.
Does Missouri have a hate crime law?
Yes. Missouri's hate offense law lets prosecutors charge certain crimes as hate offenses when they are knowingly motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability. Third-degree assault, first-degree harassment, first-degree property damage and certain unlawful-use-of-weapons offenses become class D felonies (up to 7 years), and fourth-degree assault, second-degree tampering, masked intimidation, second-degree property damage and first-degree trespass, among others, become class E felonies (up to 4 years).
What happens if you violate parole in Missouri?
The Division of Probation and Parole or a parole officer may issue a warrant to arrest a parolee for violating parole or conditional release, and the parolee is held without bail pending a hearing. The parolee has a right to a preliminary hearing unless waived. The Parole Board then discharges the person, orders placement in a Department of Corrections treatment center, or holds a violation hearing; if a violation is found, the board may continue or revoke parole or enter another order, and decides how much of the time on the run or in custody counts toward the sentence.
What happens if you violate a restraining order in Missouri?
Violating an ex parte or full order of protection (for example by abuse, stalking, contact initiated by the respondent, or coming to the petitioner's home, work or school or within a set distance) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000). If the person was found guilty of violating a protection order within the previous five years, the new violation is a class E felony (up to 4 years). Police must arrest a respondent who has notice of the order when there is probable cause of an act of abuse in violation of it.
When can a juvenile be tried as an adult in Missouri?
Missouri uses judicial certification (transfer). For a child 14 to 17 accused of a class A or B felony, a sex felony, or three felonies within 180 days, the juvenile court may hold a hearing and transfer the case to adult court. For a child 12 to 17 accused of first- or second-degree murder, first-degree assault, rape or sodomy in the first degree, first-degree robbery, drug distribution or manufacturing, any dangerous felony, a felony with a deadly weapon, or with two or more prior felony-level offenses, the court must hold a certification hearing and may transfer the child. The juvenile officer, prosecutor, the child or the court can start the process.
Does Missouri have the death penalty?
Missouri has the death penalty in law. First-degree murder (knowingly causing a death after deliberation) is a class A felony punished, for an offender 18 or older, by either death or life imprisonment without probation or parole (release only by act of the governor); offenders under 18 are sentenced under § 565.033. The statute sets the method of execution as lethal gas or lethal injection, carried out by the Department of Corrections.
Can felons vote in Missouri?
People in Missouri cannot vote while confined under a sentence of imprisonment. Since August 28, 2026 (H.B. 1871), people on probation or parole are barred from voting only if their felony conviction is under chapter 566 (sexual offenses) or 573, or under one of the listed sections, including first- and second-degree murder (§§ 565.020, 565.021) and first- and second-degree assault (§§ 565.050, 565.052), until finally discharged; before that change, any felony probation or parole barred voting. Rights return without an application once the bar ends. A person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage (election offenses) is barred from voting permanently.
How do you restore your rights after a felony in Missouri?
In Missouri, voting rights return automatically when the voting bar ends (release from confinement, or discharge from probation or parole for the listed serious offenses), except that an election-related conviction bars voting permanently. A felony conviction permanently disqualifies a person from serving on a jury. A person convicted of a felony cannot hold public office until completing the sentence or probation, and a felony connected with the right of suffrage bars holding office forever; a public official convicted of a felony forfeits the office at sentencing. Possessing a firearm after any felony conviction is a separate crime (class C felony, or class B after a dangerous felony or a prior conviction for the same offense), and that statute contains no restoration procedure (its only exception is for antique firearms).
Does Missouri have a three strikes law?
Missouri does not have a fixed 'three strikes' life sentence; it uses extended terms for repeat offenders. A 'prior offender' has one earlier felony, and a 'persistent offender' has two or more felonies committed at different times or one earlier 'dangerous felony.' A 'dangerous offender' is someone being sentenced for a felony in which they knowingly killed or endangered a life or inflicted or threatened serious injury, who already has a class A or B felony or dangerous felony. A persistent or dangerous offender found guilty of a class B, C, D or E felony must be sentenced within the range for the next-higher class (for example, a class C felony is sentenced as a class B felony, 5 to 15 years). Prior convictions must be pleaded and proven beyond a reasonable doubt before sentencing.
Is delta-8 legal in Missouri?
Missouri's Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act (2026 H.B. 2641, signed April 23, 2026) takes effect November 12, 2026. From that date, all 'hemp-derived cannabinoid products' (any product from hemp, other than industrial hemp, that contains cannabinoids and is meant for human or animal use) are treated as marijuana and may be grown, made, tested, transported and sold only by businesses licensed under Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution (the marijuana program). The act's hemp definition excludes products with synthesized or lab-converted cannabinoids (cannabinoids not naturally produced by the plant, or made outside the plant) and final products with more than 0.4 milligram of total THC per container. A violation is a class D felony (up to 7 years) plus a fine of $5,000 per transaction. For some other products, if Congress delays the federal hemp restrictions, the act applies only while the federal restrictions are in force, but those products still may not be sold to anyone under 21.
Are magic mushrooms legal in Missouri?
Psilocybin and psilocyn ('magic mushrooms') are Schedule I controlled substances in Missouri. Possessing any controlled substance other than small amounts of marijuana is a class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Is CBD legal in Missouri?
Missouri has long allowed registered patients with intractable epilepsy to possess 'hemp extract' (no more than 0.3% THC and at least 5% CBD) with a state registration card. Under the Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act, effective November 12, 2026, any product derived from hemp that contains cannabinoids 'in any form' and is meant for human or animal use is a 'hemp-derived cannabinoid product' treated as marijuana and may be sold only by licensed marijuana businesses; FDA-approved drugs are excluded, and hemp and industrial hemp themselves are not treated as marijuana. Only licensed marijuana dispensaries may use the word 'dispensary' in a business name when selling CBD, hemp or cannabinoid products. Violations are a class D felony plus $5,000 per transaction.
What is the smoking and vaping age in Missouri?
Missouri's own statutes set 18 as the minimum age: sellers must refuse sales of tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to anyone under 18, with clerk fines of $25, $100 and then $250, and mail/internet sellers fined $250 and then $500. A person under 18 who buys, tries to buy or possesses these products, or lies about age to buy them, commits an infraction; the products are confiscated, and a second violation also requires a tobacco education or cessation program if available. (Federal law separately sets a nationwide minimum sale age of 21, which the state statutes read do not mention.)
Is elder abuse a felony in Missouri?
Missouri defines an 'elderly person' as someone 60 or older. Abuse of an elderly person, a person with a disability or a vulnerable person (repeated conduct causing emotional distress, intentionally failing to provide care, or knowingly creating a substantial risk to life or health) is a class A misdemeanor. Financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability by deceit, coercion or undue influence (including misuse of a power of attorney) is a class A misdemeanor under $50, and a felony from $50 (class E) up to $75,000 or more (class A). Physical assaults on elderly persons are charged as assault with 'special victim' enhancement, which raises each degree (for example, third-degree assault from a class E to a class D felony).
Is voyeurism a felony in Missouri?
Missouri calls secret nude photos or upskirting 'invasion of privacy': knowingly photographing or filming someone without consent while they are fully or partly nude in a place where they expect privacy, or photographing under or through their clothing. It is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year), but becomes a class E felony (up to 4 years) if the image is distributed or posted online, more than one person is recorded in the same course of conduct, or the person has a prior invasion-of-privacy conviction.
Is assaulting a police officer a felony in Missouri?
Missouri raises the grade of each degree of assault when the victim is a 'special victim,' which includes a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical or hospital emergency worker, probation and parole officer, or jailer or corrections officer assaulted while on duty or because of their duties, as well as highway workers in work zones, utility and cable workers, and mass transit employees on the job. First-degree assault becomes a class A felony (10-30 years or life); second-degree assault rises from a class D to a class B felony (5-15 years); third-degree assault (knowingly causing physical injury) rises from a class E to a class D felony (up to 7 years); and the lowest form of fourth-degree assault (threats or offensive contact) rises from a class C to a class A misdemeanor.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.