October 08, 2017
2017 Changes in the Missouri Criminal Code
Changes in the Missouri Criminal Code
Missouri DWI Law
The state’s DWI laws received effects like a change to include a label of “habitual offenders” for multiple intoxicated driving offense convicts. This label applies to repeatedly convicted drivers of any of the following listed offenses:
- Three impaired driving offenses if at least two of the offenses involved the injury or caused death of another person;
- Four or more impaired driving offenses if at least one offense caused death or involved injury of another person;
- Five or more impaired driving offenses.
The classification of Missouri drivers as “habitual offenders” will be highly subjected to severe punishment for repeat DWI convictions compared to other individuals. It is not only limited to road driving, but also to the waterway in the state as it will extend to boating while intoxicated.
Reviewed Classes For Felonies and Misdemeanors
There has been some classification restructuring and new sentencing laws in agreement with each class. The creation of additional class D and E for misdemeanor and felony. A jail term of Class C felony from three to ten years, instead of the previous term to be not more than seven years. Some penalties are more relaxed on some convicted offenders. Examples of these penalties that the new bill would relax are;
- The DWI ignition interlock law removes the requirement of equipped GPS devices;
- Lessen the punishment of the first-time convict of marijuana possession, especially in cases involving 10 grams or fewer. Meaning, this crime will be classified as Class D under misdemeanor instead of Class A.
Classification Scales
- Class B misdemeanor – First offense
- Class A misdemeanor – Prior offender
- One prior offense within five years;
- Class E felony – Persistent Offender
- Two or more prior offenses or one offense where another person was injured or killed;
- Class D Felony – Aggravated Offender
- Three or more prior offenses or two or more offenses where at least one included a person was injured or killed;
- Class C felony – Chronic offender
- Four or more prior offenses; three or more where at least one included another person being injured or killed; two or more offenses where at least one included another person being injured or killed;
- Class B felony – Habitual offender
- Five or more prior offenses; four or more where at least one involved a person being injured or killed; three or more where at least two of which a person was injured or killed; or acted with criminal negligence to cause the death of any person not a passenger in the vehicle operated by the defendant, caused the death of two or more individuals or resulted in the death of any person;
- Class A felony
- Habitual offender arising from criminal negligence acting to cause the death of any out of vehicle person operated by the defendant who causes the death of one, two or more person and found guilty of violating such subsequent offense.