Missouri Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting

1.  A person commits the offense of statutory rape in the second degree if being twenty-one years of age or older, he or she has sexual intercourse with another person who is less than seventeen years of age. 2.  The offense of statutory rape in the second degree is a class D felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of statutory rape in the first degree if he or she has sexual intercourse with another person who is less than fourteen years of age. 2.  The offense of statutory rape in the first degree or an attempt to commit statutory rape in the first degree is a felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than ten years, unless: (1)  The offense is an aggravated sexual offense, or the victim is less than twelve years of age in which case the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than fifteen years; or (2)  The person is a persistent or predatory sexual offender as defined in section 566.125 and subjected to an extended term of imprisonment under said section.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

Also relied on in: Age of Consent Laws by State: Statutes, Protections and Reporting

1.  A person commits the offense of statutory sodomy in the first degree if he or she has deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is less than fourteen years of age. 2.  The offense of statutory sodomy in the first degree or an attempt to commit statutory sodomy in the first degree is a felony for which the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than five years, unless: (1)  The offense is an aggravated sexual offense or the victim is less than twelve years of age, in which case the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than ten years; or (2)  The person is a persistent or predatory sexual offender as defined in section 566.125 and subjected to an extended term of imprisonment under said section.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of statutory sodomy in the second degree if being twenty-one years of age or older, he or she has deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is less than seventeen years of age. 2.  The offense of statutory sodomy in the second degree is a class D felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of child molestation in the first degree if he or she subjects another person who is less than fourteen years of age to sexual contact and the offense is an aggravated sexual offense. 2.  The offense of child molestation in the first degree is a class A felony and, if the victim is a child less than twelve years of age, the person shall serve his or her term of imprisonment without eligibility for probation, parole, or conditional release.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of child molestation in the second degree if he or she: (1)  Subjects a child who is less than twelve years of age to sexual contact; or (2)  Being more than four years older than a child who is less than seventeen years of age, subjects the child to sexual contact and the offense is an aggravated sexual offense. 2.  The offense of child molestation in the second degree is a class B felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of child molestation in the third degree if he or she subjects a child who is less than fourteen years of age to sexual contact. 2.  The offense of child molestation in the third degree is a class C felony, unless committed by the use of forcible compulsion, in which case it is a class B felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of child molestation in the fourth degree if, being more than four years older than a child who is less than seventeen years of age, subjects the child to sexual contact. 2.  The offense of child molestation in the fourth degree is a class E felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of sexual misconduct involving a child if such person: (1)  Knowingly exposes his or her genitals to a child less than fifteen years of age under circumstances in which he or she knows that his or her conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the child; (2)  Knowingly exposes his or her genitals to a child less than fifteen years of age for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person, including the child; (3)  Knowingly coerces or induces a child less than fifteen years of age to expose the child's genitals for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person, including the child; or (4)  Knowingly coerces or induces a child who is known by such person to be less than fifteen years of age to expose the breasts of a female child through the internet or other electronic means for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person, including the child. 2.  The provisions of this section shall apply regardless of whether the person violates this section in person or via the internet or other electronic means.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of sexual contact with a student if he or she has sexual contact with a student of the school and is: (1)  A teacher, as that term is defined in subdivisions (4), (5), and (7) of section 168.104; (2)  A student teacher; (3)  An employee of the school; (4)  A volunteer of the school or of an organization working with the school on a project or program who is not a student at the school; (5)  An elected or appointed official of the school district; (6)  A person employed by an entity that contracts with the school or school district to provide services; or (7)  A coach, assistant coach, director, or other adult with a school-aged team, club, or ensemble, regardless of whether such team, club, or ensemble is connected to a school or scholastic association. For purposes of this subdivision, "school-aged team, club, or ensemble" means any group organized for individual or group competition for the performance of sports activities or any group organized for individual or group presentation for fine or performing arts, by any child under eighteen years of age.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  This section shall be known and may be cited as "Evie and Sophie's Law". 2.  For purposes of this section, "minor" means a person under eighteen years of age. 3.  A person commits the offense of grooming or enticement of a minor if, being more than four years older than a minor, he or she knowingly, by any means or through any pattern of conduct, attempts to persuade, solicit, coax, entice, or lure or persuades, solicits, coaxes, entices, or lures such minor with the intent to prepare, condition, manipulate, or otherwise cause such minor to engage in sexual conduct, a sexual performance, or a commercial sex act. 4.  It is not a defense to a prosecution for a violation of this section that the person believed to be a minor was a peace officer masquerading as a minor.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of age misrepresentation with intent to solicit a minor when he or she knowingly misrepresents his or her age with the intent to use the internet or any electronic communication to engage in criminal sexual conduct involving a minor. 2.  The offense of age misrepresentation with intent to solicit a minor is a class E felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree if he or she knowingly: (1)  Recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, or obtains by any means, including but not limited to through the use of force, abduction, coercion, fraud, deception, blackmail, or causing or threatening to cause financial harm, a person under the age of fourteen to participate in a commercial sex act, a sexual performance, or the production of explicit sexual material as defined in section 573.010, or benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in such activities; (2)  Causes a person under the age of fourteen to engage in a commercial sex act, a sexual performance, or the production of explicit sexual material as defined in section 573.010; or (3)  Advertises the availability of a person under the age of fourteen to participate in a commercial sex act, a sexual performance, or the production of explicit sexual material as defined in section 573.010. 2.  It shall not be a defense that the defendant believed that the person was fourteen years of age or older.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of sexual trafficking of a child in the second degree if he or she knowingly: (1)  Recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, or obtains by any means, including but not limited to through the use of force, abduction, coercion, fraud, deception, blackmail, or causing or threatening to cause financial harm, a person under the age of eighteen to participate in a commercial sex act, a sexual performance, or the production of explicit sexual material as defined in section 573.010, or benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in such activities; (2)  Causes a person under the age of eighteen to engage in a commercial sex act, a sexual performance, or the production of explicit sexual material as defined in section 573.010; or (3)  Advertises the availability of a person under the age of eighteen to participate in a commercial sex act, a sexual performance, or the production of explicit sexual material as defined in section 573.010. 2.  It shall not be a defense that the defendant believed that the person was eighteen years of age or older.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  Except as otherwise provided for an offense outside this code, a person who has been convicted of an offense may be sentenced to pay a fine which does not exceed: (1)  For a class C, D, or E felony, ten thousand dollars; (2)  For a class A misdemeanor, two thousand dollars; (3)  For a class B misdemeanor, one thousand dollars; (4)  For a class C misdemeanor, seven hundred fifty dollars; (5)  For a class D misdemeanor, five hundred dollars; (6)  For an infraction, four hundred dollars; or (7)  If the person has gained money or property through the commission of the offense, to pay an amount, fixed by the court, not exceeding double the amount of the person's gain from the commission of the offense.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

Also relied on in: Missouri Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, Missouri Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties, Missouri Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026

1.  The authorized terms of imprisonment, including both prison and conditional release terms, are: (1)  For a class A felony, a term of years not less than ten years and not to exceed thirty years, or life imprisonment; (2)  For a class B felony, a term of years not less than five years and not to exceed fifteen years; (3)  For a class C felony, a term of years not less than three years and not to exceed ten years; (4)  For a class D felony, a term of years not to exceed seven years; (5)  For a class E felony, a term of years not to exceed four years; (6)  For a class A misdemeanor, a term not to exceed one year; (7)  For a class B misdemeanor, a term not to exceed six months; (8)  For a class C misdemeanor, a term not to exceed fifteen days.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

Also relied on in: Missouri Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights, Missouri Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules for Landline, Cell, and VoIP, Missouri Smart Glasses Recording Laws

1.  A person commits the offense of patronizing prostitution if he or she: (1)  Pursuant to a prior understanding, gives something of value to another person as compensation for having engaged in sexual conduct with any person; or (2)  Gives or agrees to give something of value to another person with the understanding that such person or another person will engage in sexual conduct with any person; or (3)  Solicits or requests another person to engage in sexual conduct with any person in return for something of value. 2.  It shall not be a defense that the person believed that the individual he or she patronized for prostitution was eighteen years of age or older. 3.  The offense of patronizing prostitution is a class E felony, unless the individual who the person patronizes is less than eighteen years of age but older than fifteen years of age, in which case patronizing prostitution is a class D felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of incest if he or she marries or purports to marry or engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with a person he or she knows to be, without regard to legitimacy, his or her: (1)  Ancestor or descendant by blood or adoption; or (2)  Stepchild, while the marriage creating that relationship exists; or (3)  Brother or sister of the whole or half-blood; or (4)  Uncle, aunt, nephew or niece of the whole blood. 2.  The offense of incest is a class E felony. 3.  The court shall not grant probation to a person who has previously been found guilty of an offense under this section.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree if he or she: (1)  Knowingly acts in a manner that creates a substantial risk to the life, body, or health of a child less than eighteen years of age; (2)  Knowingly engages in sexual conduct with a person under the age of eighteen years over whom the person is a parent, guardian, or otherwise charged with the care and custody; (3)  Knowingly encourages, aids or causes a child less than eighteen years of age to engage in any conduct which violates the provisions of chapter 571 or 579; or (4)  In the presence of a child less than eighteen years of age or in a residence where a child less than eighteen years of age resides, unlawfully manufactures or attempts to manufacture compounds, possesses, produces, prepares, sells, transports, tests or analyzes any of the following: fentanyl, carfentanil, amphetamine, or methamphetamine, or any analogue thereof.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of sexual exploitation of a minor if such person knowingly or recklessly photographs, films, videotapes, produces or otherwise creates obscene material with a minor or child pornography. 2.  The offense of sexual exploitation of a minor is a class B felony unless the minor is a child, in which case it is a class A felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

Also relied on in: Missouri Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties

1.  A person commits the offense of furnishing pornographic material to minors if, knowing of its content and character, he or she: (1)  Furnishes any material pornographic for minors, knowing that the person to whom it is furnished is a minor or acting in reckless disregard of the likelihood that such person is a minor; or (2)  Produces, presents, directs or participates in any performance pornographic for minors that is furnished to a minor knowing that any person viewing such performance is a minor or acting in reckless disregard of the likelihood that a minor is viewing the performance; or (3)  Furnishes, produces, presents, directs, participates in any performance or otherwise makes available material that is pornographic for minors via computer, electronic transfer, internet or computer network if the person made the matter available to a specific individual known by the defendant to be a minor. 2.  It is not a defense to a prosecution for a violation of this section that the person being furnished the pornographic material is a peace officer masquerading as a minor.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person commits the offense of use of a child in a sexual performance if, knowing the character and content thereof, the person employs, authorizes, or induces a child less than eighteen years of age to engage in a performance which includes sexual conduct or, being a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of such child, consents to the participation by such child in such sexual performance. 2.  The offense of use of a child in a sexual performance is a class C felony, unless in the course thereof the person inflicts serious emotional injury on the child, in which case the offense is a class B felony. 3.  The court shall not grant a suspended imposition of sentence or a suspended execution of sentence to a person who has previously been found guilty of an offense under this section.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

1.  A person on the sexual offender registry of this state may file a petition in the division of the circuit court in the county or city not within a county in which the offense requiring registration was adjudicated to have his or her name exempted or removed from the sexual offender registry in accordance with this section. 2.  (1)  A person who is required to register in this state because of an offense that was adjudicated in another jurisdiction shall file his or her petition for removal, termination, or relief from registration, or the declaratory judgment providing for removal, termination, or relief from registration according to the laws of the state, federal, territory, tribal, or military jurisdiction, the District of Columbia, or foreign country in which his or her offense was adjudicated.  Upon entry of a judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction providing that the person is no longer required to register as a sex offender under the laws of the adjudicating jurisdiction, such judgment may be registered in this state by sending the information required under subsection 5 of this section as well as one authenticated copy of the order granting removal from the…

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov

As used in sections 589.400 to 589.425, the following terms mean: (1)  "Adjudicated" or "adjudication", adjudication of delinquency, a finding of guilt, plea of guilt, finding of not guilty due to mental disease or defect, or plea of nolo contendere to committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit.  Adjudication does not require the imposition of sentence for the purposes of sections 589.400 to 589.425.  The term adjudication shall include by reference all acts meeting the definition of "conviction" under Section 111 of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, P.L.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov