Criminal Code

As of Jan. 1, major changes to Missouri’s Criminal Code took effect, prompting many lawyers to spend the time leading up to the New Year preparing for the changes. Read more here…

Jolie Justus Stanley Cox Eric Jennings Bob Dixon Jason Lamb

“Stair-step” approach to felony sentencing

The addition of a new felony class came out of discussions about a gap that exists between current felony classes.

While the new felony class may be the biggest change in the revised code, misdemeanor laws are gaining a class, too, with the addition of a fine-only Class D.

REVISIONS ADD NEW DEGREE OF ASSAULT

The Revised Criminal Code changes assault laws to add a new level of assault to bridge the gap in current laws.

DWI laws enhanced by prior offenses, injuries

Many attorneys will come across a DWI case sometime in their practice, said Jason Lamb, co-chair of the code revision subcommittee.

Revisions reduces some drug sentences

Among changes coming to Missouri’s drug laws under the Revised Criminal Code are reductions in sentences for some offenses.

More changes to sex crime statutes

The 2013 changes, which included forcible rape and forcible sodomy statutes, were initially part of an overall criminal code revision bill, but the legislature passed them separately a year before passing the code revision.

Code changes affect repeat offenders

Repeat offenders fall into the categories of prior, which is someone who has committed a single previous offense, and persistent, someone with two or more past offenses.

Code takes stronger stance on domestic violence

One of the biggest changes expands the definition of a domestic violence victim to “any person” from adults.

Criminal code to be tougher on child abuse

The revised laws will include four levels of child molestation, up from two.

First-time stealing of small amount fine-only

Making the offense a fine-only Class D misdemeanor will also help with public defender caseloads as a public defender isn’t required for a fine-only offense.