Missouri
Missouri Assault Laws: Degrees, Felony Assault and Penalties (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 14, 2026). · 22 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Missouri has no crime called battery. Chapter 565 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri grades unlawful injury, threats and offensive touching as assault, in four degrees (RSMo 565.050 to 565.056), with a parallel set of four domestic assault degrees (565.072 to 565.076). Fourth-degree assault covers what many states call battery, such as recklessly causing injury or knowingly making offensive physical contact, while knowingly causing physical injury is third-degree assault, a class E felony. A 2026 act rewrites the assault degrees effective July 1, 2027; this page describes the law in force now. For other states, see our guide to assault and battery laws by state.
Information last verified on 2026-10-13. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Missouri's assault and domestic assault statutes in RSMo Chapter 565, the definitions in 556.061 and 565.002, the sentencing ranges in 558.011 and fine ceilings in 558.002, the prior and persistent assault offender provisions in 565.079 and the extended terms in 558.016, and the civil filing period in 516.140 with the exceptions in 516.170 and 537.046. It does not cover self-defense and justification (see Missouri self-defense laws), protective orders (see Missouri restraining order laws), sexual offenses, federal assault crimes (see the assault and battery hub) or city and county ordinances.
Assault vs. battery in Missouri
Missouri does not split assault and battery into two crimes. The word battery does not appear in the Chapter 565 assault sections. It does appear in the civil filing deadline, RSMo 516.140, which lists actions for "assault, battery" separately.
Instead, Missouri sorts conduct by degree. Fourth-degree assault under 565.056.1 reaches the lower end of what other states split between assault and battery:
"(1) The person attempts to cause or recklessly causes physical injury, physical pain, or illness to another person; (2) With criminal negligence the person causes physical injury to another person by means of a firearm; (3) The person purposely places another person in apprehension of immediate physical injury; (4) The person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person; (5) The person knowingly causes or attempts to cause physical contact with a person with a disability, which a reasonable person, who does not have a disability, would consider offensive or provocative; or (6) The person knowingly causes physical contact with another person knowing the other person will regard the contact as offensive or provocative."
So a threat that puts someone in fear of immediate injury (subdivision 3) and an offensive touching (subdivision 6) are both fourth-degree assault in Missouri. Once a person knowingly causes physical injury, the offense moves up to third-degree assault under 565.054, which is a felony.
The mental state is often what separates the degrees. Recklessly causing physical injury is fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor. Knowingly causing physical injury is third-degree assault, a felony. Knowingly causing physical injury by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument is second-degree assault.
Missouri assault charges and penalties at a glance
| Offense | Statute | What it covers | Class | Statutory penalty range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assault, fourth degree (threat or offensive contact) | RSMo 565.056.1(3), (6); 565.056.3 | Purposely placing another person in apprehension of immediate physical injury, or knowingly causing physical contact knowing the other person will regard it as offensive or provocative | Class C misdemeanor; class A misdemeanor if the victim is a special victim | Class C: up to 15 days and a fine up to $750. Class A: up to 1 year and a fine up to $2,000 |
| Assault, fourth degree (other forms) | RSMo 565.056.1(1), (2), (4), (5); 565.056.2 | Attempting to cause or recklessly causing physical injury, pain or illness; causing physical injury with a firearm through criminal negligence; recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury; offensive or provocative contact with a person with a disability | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year and a fine up to $2,000 |
| Assault, third degree | RSMo 565.054 | Knowingly causing physical injury to another person | Class E felony; class D felony if the victim is a special victim | Class E: up to 4 years and a fine up to $10,000. Class D: up to 7 years and a fine up to $10,000 |
| Assault, second degree | RSMo 565.052 | Attempting to kill or knowingly causing or attempting serious physical injury under sudden passion arising out of adequate cause; attempting to cause or knowingly causing physical injury with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; recklessly causing serious physical injury; recklessly causing physical injury by discharging a firearm | Class D felony; class B felony if the victim is a special victim | Class D: up to 7 years and a fine up to $10,000. Class B: 5 to 15 years |
| Assault, first degree | RSMo 565.050 | Attempting to kill, or knowingly causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury | Class B felony; class A felony if the person inflicts serious physical injury or the victim is a special victim | Class B: 5 to 15 years. Class A: 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment |
| Domestic assault, fourth degree | RSMo 565.076 | Lower-level conduct against a domestic victim, including attempting or recklessly causing injury, pain or illness, placing the victim in apprehension of injury and knowingly causing offensive physical contact, among other listed conduct | Class A misdemeanor; class E felony with the prior findings of guilt described below | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year and a fine up to $2,000. Felony: up to 4 years and a fine up to $10,000 |
| Domestic assault, third degree | RSMo 565.074 | Attempting to cause physical injury, or knowingly causing physical pain or illness, to a domestic victim | Class E felony | Up to 4 years and a fine up to $10,000 |
| Domestic assault, second degree | RSMo 565.073 | Knowingly causing physical injury to a domestic victim by any means, including a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, choking or strangulation; recklessly causing serious physical injury; recklessly causing physical injury with a deadly weapon | Class D felony | Up to 7 years and a fine up to $10,000 |
| Domestic assault, first degree | RSMo 565.072 | Attempting to kill, or knowingly causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury, to a domestic victim | Class B felony; class A felony if the person inflicts serious physical injury | Class B: 5 to 15 years. Class A: 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment |
These are the ranges for the offense itself; RSMo 565.079 and 558.016 set higher terms for some repeat offenders, described below.
The prison and jail terms come from RSMo 558.011.1, which sets the authorized term for each class: for example, "for a class E felony, a term of years not to exceed four years" and "for a class A misdemeanor, a term not to exceed one year." The fine ceilings come from 558.002.1: $10,000 for a class C, D or E felony, $2,000 for a class A misdemeanor and $750 for a class C misdemeanor. These are the limits the statutes allow, not a prediction of the sentence in any case.
Missouri's former special-victim assault sections, 565.081 to 565.085, ended on January 1, 2017, when the 2014 revision of the criminal code took effect. Special-victim status now works through a definition in 565.002, covered below.
Is assault a felony in Missouri?
Yes, at a relatively low threshold. Third-degree assault, knowingly causing physical injury to another person, is a class E felony under 565.054.2, punishable by up to four years. The statute's definition of physical injury is low: RSMo 556.061 defines it as "slight impairment of any function of the body or temporary loss of use of any part of the body."
Assault stays a misdemeanor when it falls within fourth degree: attempting to cause or recklessly causing injury, purposely placing someone in apprehension of immediate injury, or offensive contact. Against a domestic victim, even third-degree domestic assault (attempting to cause physical injury or knowingly causing physical pain or illness) is a class E felony under 565.074.
Definitions that decide the grade
RSMo 556.061 supplies the definitions the current assault sections use:
Physical injury: "slight impairment of any function of the body or temporary loss of use of any part of the body."
Serious physical injury: "physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part of the body."
Deadly weapon: "any firearm, loaded or unloaded, or any weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or serious physical injury, may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, dagger, billy club, blackjack or metal knuckles."
Dangerous instrument: "any instrument, article or substance, which, under the circumstances in which it is used, is readily capable of causing death or other serious physical injury."
Serious physical injury is what moves an assault into first degree (or second degree when caused recklessly). The dangerous-instrument definition turns on how an object is used, so an ordinary object can qualify under the circumstances.
Assaulting a police officer, nurse or other special victim in Missouri
Missouri raises the class of each assault degree when the victim is a "special victim." RSMo 565.002(14) defines the term as any of the following:
- a law enforcement officer assaulted in the performance of official duties or as a direct result of those duties;
- emergency personnel, any paid or volunteer firefighter, emergency room, hospital or trauma center personnel, or emergency medical technician, assaulted in the performance of official duties or as a direct result of those duties;
- a probation and parole officer assaulted in the performance of official duties or as a direct result of those duties;
- an elderly person;
- a person with a disability;
- a vulnerable person;
- any jailer or corrections officer of the state or a political subdivision, assaulted in the performance of official duties or as a direct result of those duties;
- a highway worker in a construction or work zone, as section 304.580 defines those terms;
- any utility worker (an employee of a utility providing gas, heat, electricity, water, steam, telecommunications or sewer services, including a contract employee) while performing job duties;
- any cable worker (an employee of a cable operator, including a contract employee) while performing job duties; and
- any employee of a mass transit system, including employees of public bus or light rail companies, while performing job duties.
The list does not name teachers, school employees or sports officials as separate classes.
Separately, RSMo 217.385 makes it a class B felony for an offender to knowingly commit violence to a Department of Corrections employee or to another offender housed in a department correctional center.
| Assault degree | Ordinary class | Class when the victim is a special victim |
|---|---|---|
| First degree (565.050) | Class B felony (class A if serious physical injury is inflicted) | Class A felony |
| Second degree (565.052) | Class D felony | Class B felony |
| Third degree (565.054) | Class E felony | Class D felony |
| Fourth degree, threat or offensive contact (565.056.1(3), (6)) | Class C misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
Domestic assault in Missouri
Missouri treats assault on a family or household member as a separate set of offenses, domestic assault in four degrees (565.072 to 565.076). A "domestic victim" under 565.002(6) is "a household or family member as the term 'family' or 'household member' is defined in section 455.010, including any child who is a member of the household or family."
Second-degree domestic assault under 565.073 names choking and strangulation: it covers knowingly causing physical injury to a domestic victim "by any means, including but not limited to, use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or by choking or strangulation." It is a class D felony.
Fourth-degree domestic assault is a class A misdemeanor, but 565.076.2 makes it a class E felony when "the person has previously been found guilty of the offense of domestic assault, of any assault offense under this chapter, or of any offense against a domestic victim committed in violation of any county or municipal ordinance in any state, any state law, any federal law, or any military law which if committed in this state two or more times would be a violation of this section." The statute adds that the earlier offenses "may be against the same domestic victim or against different domestic victims."
Under federal law, 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9) makes it unlawful for a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to possess a firearm or ammunition in or affecting commerce; the assault and battery hub covers the federal layer. Protective orders are a separate civil process; see Missouri restraining order laws.
Prior and persistent assault offenders
RSMo 565.079 adds sentencing rules for a person the court finds to be a prior or persistent assault offender. A prior assault offender has been found guilty of one assault offense that occurred within five years of the offense now charged; a persistent assault offender has been found guilty of two or more assault offenses that occurred within ten years of it. Under 565.079.13, a prior assault offender found guilty of a class B, C or D felony under Chapter 565 is sentenced to "the authorized term of imprisonment for the class one class step higher." Under 565.079.14, a persistent assault offender found guilty of a class C or D felony under the chapter is sentenced to the term for the class two steps higher, and a persistent assault offender found guilty of a class B felony receives the class A term.
Section 565.079.2 also bars a court from suspending the imposition of sentence for these offenders or imposing a fine in place of imprisonment, and it says such a person is not eligible for parole or probation "until such person has served a minimum of six months' imprisonment."
Separately, RSMo 558.016.7 requires a court to sentence a persistent offender (two or more prior felonies committed at different times, or a prior dangerous felony) or a dangerous offender, as 558.016 defines those terms, who is found guilty of a class B, C, D or E felony to the term for the offense one class higher.
Changes taking effect July 1, 2027
A 2026 act, H.B. 2637 and 3155 merged with S.B. 999, repeals and reenacts every assault and domestic assault degree (565.050 to 565.056 and 565.072 to 565.076) along with the definitions section 565.002, effective July 1, 2027 under RSMo 565.019. The new text replaces "physical injury" with "bodily harm" (defined as "physical pain or injury, illness, or any impairment of physical condition") and "serious physical injury" with "great bodily harm," while the first- and third-degree assault classes stay the same; until that date, the provisions described above remain the law.
Civil lawsuits for assault and battery in Missouri
A criminal assault case and a civil lawsuit for money damages are separate. The state brings the criminal case; the injured person may bring a civil claim.
RSMo 516.140 requires several kinds of actions to be brought "within two years," including "an action for libel, slander, injurious falsehood, assault, battery, false imprisonment, criminal conversation, malicious prosecution." If the injured person was under 21 or mentally incapacitated when the claim arose, RSMo 516.170 lets the two years run from when that disability ends, and claims for childhood sexual abuse arising on or after August 28, 2025 have a separate, longer deadline under RSMo 537.046. For other filing deadlines, see the Missouri statute of limitations guide.
Related legal issues
- Self-defense. Justification is a separate topic; see Missouri self-defense laws.
- Protective orders. See Missouri restraining order laws.
- Clearing a record. Whether an assault conviction can be expunged is covered in Missouri expungement laws.
Related pages
- Assault and battery laws by state
- Missouri self-defense laws
- Missouri restraining order laws
- Missouri expungement laws
- Missouri statute of limitations
This article provides general legal information about Missouri assault law, not legal advice. Laws change and their application depends on specific facts. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Missouri.
Last updated: 2026-10-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between assault and battery in Missouri?
Missouri has no battery offense. Chapter 565 treats injury, threats and offensive physical contact as assault, graded in four degrees under RSMo 565.050 to 565.056.
Is assault a felony in Missouri?
Third-degree assault, knowingly causing physical injury to another person, is a class E felony under RSMo 565.054, punishable by up to four years before any repeat-offender increase under RSMo 565.079 or 558.016. First- and second-degree assault are also felonies; fourth-degree assault is a misdemeanor.
What is fourth-degree assault in Missouri?
Under RSMo 565.056 it includes attempting to cause or recklessly causing physical injury, pain or illness, purposely placing someone in apprehension of immediate physical injury, and knowingly causing offensive or provocative physical contact. It is a class A misdemeanor, except the threat and offensive-contact forms are class C unless the victim is a special victim.
What is the penalty for third-degree assault in Missouri?
It is a class E felony, punishable by up to four years under RSMo 558.011 and a fine of up to $10,000 under 558.002. Against a special victim it is a class D felony, up to seven years. Repeat-offender rules in RSMo 565.079 and 558.016 can raise the term.
What happens if you assault a police officer in Missouri?
A law enforcement officer assaulted in the performance of official duties or as a direct result of them is a special victim under RSMo 565.002(14), which raises each degree: for example, third-degree assault becomes a class D felony and first-degree assault a class A felony.
Is assaulting a nurse or hospital worker a felony in Missouri?
Emergency room, hospital and trauma center personnel assaulted in the performance of official duties are special victims under RSMo 565.002(14). Knowingly causing them physical injury is third-degree assault, a class D felony instead of class E.
Is choking a felony in Missouri?
Knowingly causing physical injury to a domestic victim by choking or strangulation is named in RSMo 565.073 as second-degree domestic assault, a class D felony punishable by up to seven years before any repeat-offender increase under RSMo 565.079 or 558.016.
How long do you have to sue for assault in Missouri?
RSMo 516.140 sets two years for an action for assault or battery. If the injured person was under 21 or mentally incapacitated when the claim arose, RSMo 516.170 lets the period run from when that disability ends, and childhood sexual abuse claims have a longer deadline under RSMo 537.046.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXXVIII (CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS), Chapter 565
§ 565.054Assault in the third degree.In force
1. A person commits the offense of assault in the third degree if he or she knowingly causes physical injury to another person. 2. The offense of assault in the third degree is a class E felony, unless the victim of such assault is a special victim, as the term "special victim" is defined under section 565.002, in which case it 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
§ 565.056Assault in the fourth degree.In force
1. A person commits the offense of assault in the fourth degree if: (1) The person attempts to cause or recklessly causes physical injury, physical pain, or illness to another person; (2) With criminal negligence the person causes physical injury to another person by means of a firearm; (3) The person purposely places another person in apprehension of immediate physical injury; (4) The person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person; (5) The person knowingly causes or attempts to cause physical contact with a person with a disability, which a reasonable person, who does not have a disability, would consider offensive or provocative; or (6) The person knowingly causes physical contact with another person knowing the other person will regard the contact as offensive or provocative. 2. Except as provided in subsection 3 of this section, assault in the fourth degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
§ 565.050Assault, first degree, penalty.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
1. A person commits the offense of assault in the first degree if he or she attempts to kill or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to another person. 2. The offense of assault in the first degree is a class B felony unless in the course thereof the person inflicts serious physical injury on the victim, or if the victim of such assault is a special victim, as the term "special victim" is defined under section 565.002, 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
Cited in 741 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Dunmore (Missouri Court of Appeals 1991, 822 S.W.2d 509)“…his convictions of assault in the first degree pursuant to § 565.050, RSMo 1986, and armed criminal action pursuan…”
- State v. Adams (Missouri Court of Appeals 1987, 741 S.W.2d 781)“…two counts of assault in the first degree, in violation of § 565.050, RSMo 1986; one count of burglary in the firs…”
- State v. Kenney (Missouri Court of Appeals 1998, 973 S.W.2d 536)“…HARGES: COUNT I: ASSAULT 1st' DEGREE (CLASS B FELONY) 565.050 RSMo. COUNT II: ASSAULT 1st DEGREE (C…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
§ 565.052Assault, second degree, penalty.In force
1. A person commits the offense of assault in the second degree if he or she: (1) Attempts to kill or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to another person under the influence of sudden passion arising out of adequate cause; or (2) Attempts to cause or knowingly causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; or (3) Recklessly causes serious physical injury to another person; or (4) Recklessly causes physical injury to another person by means of discharge of a firearm. 2. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue of influence of sudden passion arising from adequate cause under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section. 3. The offense of assault in the second degree is a class D felony, unless the victim of such assault is a special victim, as the term "special victim" is defined under section 565.002, 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
§ 565.072Domestic assault, first degree — penalty.In force
1. A person commits the offense of domestic assault in the first degree if he or she attempts to kill or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to a domestic victim, as the term "domestic victim" is defined under section 565.002. 2. The offense of domestic assault in the first degree is a class B felony unless in the course thereof the person inflicts serious physical injury on the victim, 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
§ 565.074Domestic assault, third degree — penalty.In force
1. A person commits the offense of domestic assault in the third degree if he or she attempts to cause physical injury or knowingly causes physical pain or illness to a domestic victim, as the term "domestic victim" is defined under section 565.002. 2. The offense of domestic assault in the third 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
§ 565.002Definitions.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is otherwise plainly required the following terms mean: (1) "Adequate cause", cause that would reasonably produce a degree of passion in a person of ordinary temperament sufficient to substantially impair an ordinary person's capacity for self-control; (2) "Child", a person under seventeen years of age; (3) "Conduct", includes any act or omission; (4) "Course of conduct", a pattern of conduct composed of two or more acts, which may include communication by any means, over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of course of conduct. Such constitutionally protected activity includes picketing or other organized protests; (5) "Deliberation", cool reflection for any length of time no matter how brief; (6) "Domestic victim", a household or family member as the term "family" or "household member" is defined in section 455.010, including any child who is a member of the household or family; (7) "Emotional distress", something markedly greater than the level of uneasiness, nervousness, unhappiness, or the like which are…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Cited in 24 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Roper (Missouri Court of Appeals 2004, 136 S.W.3d 891)“…Serious physical injury,” in turn, is defined in Section 565.002, RSMo, as “physical injury that creates a sub…”
- Strong v. State (Supreme Court of Missouri 2008, 263 S.W.3d 636)“…deliberation is premised on the mental state of Mr. Strong. Section 565.002, RSMo 2000 (defining deliberation as a cool r…”
- State v. Roe (Missouri Court of Appeals 1992, 845 S.W.2d 601)“…d 342, 343 (Mo.1982). “Deliberation” is defined in RSMo § 565.002(3) (1986) as “cool reflection for any l…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026), Missouri Employee Monitoring Laws: Workplace Surveillance and Privacy (2026)
§ 565.079Prior and persistent assault offenders — definitions — sentencing — procedure at trial — evidence of prior convictions, proof, how heard — sentencing.In force
1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Assault offense", the offenses of murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree, assault in the fourth degree, domestic assault in the first degree, domestic assault in the second degree, domestic assault in the third degree, domestic assault in the fourth degree, or an attempt to commit any of these offenses, or the commission of an offense in another jurisdiction that if committed in this state would constitute the commission of any of the listed offenses; (2) "Persistent assault offender", a person who has been found guilty of two or more assault offenses, where such two or more offenses occurred within ten years of the occurrence of the assault offense for which the person is charged; (3) "Prior assault offender", a person who has been found guilty of one assault offense, where such prior offense occurred within five years of the occurrence of the assault offense for which the person is charged.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXXVIII (CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS), Chapter 556
§ 556.061Code definitions.In forcecited in 4 of our articles
In this code, unless the context requires a different definition, the following terms shall mean: (1) "Access", to instruct, communicate with, store data in, retrieve or extract data from, or otherwise make any use of any resources of, a computer, computer system, or computer network; (2) "Affirmative defense": (a) The defense referred to is not submitted to the trier of fact unless supported by evidence; and (b) If the defense is submitted to the trier of fact the defendant has the burden of persuasion that the defense is more probably true than not; (3) "Burden of injecting the issue": (a) The issue referred to is not submitted to the trier of fact unless supported by evidence; and (b) If the issue is submitted to the trier of fact any reasonable doubt on the issue requires a finding for the defendant on that issue; (4) "Commercial film and photographic print processor", any person who develops exposed photographic film into negatives, slides or prints, or who makes prints from negatives or slides, for compensation. The term commercial film and photographic print processor shall include all employees of such persons but shall not include a person who develops…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Cited in 115 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Jackson (Missouri Court of Appeals 1997, 948 S.W.2d 138)“…or has been convicted of a dangerous felony, as defined in section 556.061, RSMo, or of an attempt to commit a dangerous…”
- Stiers v. State (Missouri Court of Appeals 2007, 229 S.W.3d 257)“…oss or impairment of the function of any part of the body." RSMo § 556.061(28). A self-defense instruction is gene…”
- McPherson v. State (Missouri Court of Appeals 1991, 818 S.W.2d 708)“…burglary is one of the “dangerous felonies” enumerated in RSMo § 556.061(8) (1986). Appellant’s argument for r…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri Self-Defense Laws: Stand Your Ground & Castle Doctrine (2026), Missouri Pepper Spray and Stun Gun Laws (2026), How Long Is a Life Sentence in Missouri? (2026 Guide)
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXXVIII (CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS), Chapter 558
§ 558.011Sentence of imprisonment, terms — conditional release.In forcecited in 14 of our articles
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
Cited in 128 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Rentschler v. Nixon (Supreme Court of Missouri 2010, 311 S.W.3d 783)“…When all were sentenced, the conditional release statute, section 558.011, RSMo 1978, was silent regarding whether viol…”
- Hall v. Missouri Bd. of Probation and Parole (Missouri Court of Appeals 1999, 10 S.W.3d 540)“…court erroneously declared and applied the law by applying § 558.011, RSMo 1994, as opposed to the 1986 version, t…”
- State v. Quisenberry (Supreme Court of Missouri 1982, 639 S.W.2d 579)“…If not, court imposition of a longer sentence is error. Section 558.011, RSMo Cum.Supp.1981, provides in pertinent pa…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights, Missouri Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, Missouri Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties
§ 558.002Fines for felonies.In forcecited in 10 of our articles
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
Cited in 5 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- STATE OF MISSOURI v. WARREN DALE BRANNING, Defendant-Respondent (Missouri Court of Appeals 2024)“…unishable upon conviction under Sections 558.011 and 558.002, RSMo, in that on or about August 18, 2021, i…”
- State of Missouri v. Ashley Colville (Supreme Court of Missouri 2024)“…punishable upon conviction under Sections 558.011 and 558.002, RSMo, in that on or about September 2…”
- State of Missouri v. Andrew P. Minnick (Missouri Court of Appeals 2023)“…viction under Sections 562.012, 566.100, 558.011, and 558.002, RSMo, in that on or about October 18,…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026, Missouri AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026), Missouri Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
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Sources and References
- RSMo Chapter 565, Offenses Against the Person (chapter index)(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.056, Assault in the fourth degree(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.054, Assault in the third degree(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.052, Assault in the second degree(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.050, Assault in the first degree(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.076, Domestic assault, fourth degree(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.074, Domestic assault, third degree(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.073, Domestic assault, second degree(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.072, Domestic assault, first degree(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 558.011, Authorized terms of imprisonment by class(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 558.002, Fine ceilings by class(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 556.061, Code definitions(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.002, Definitions (domestic victim, special victim)(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.079, Prior and persistent assault offenders(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9), Unlawful acts (misdemeanor crime of domestic violence)(www.govinfo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.019, Delayed effective date for certain sections in H.B. 2637 & 3155 and S.B. 999, 2026(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 565.002, Definitions (version effective July 1, 2027)(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 516.140, Two-year limitations period (assault, battery)(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 558.016, Extended terms for persistent and dangerous offenders(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 516.170, Filing delayed for minors and incapacitated persons(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 537.046, Childhood sexual abuse actions(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 217.385, Violence by an offender in a correctional center(revisor.mo.gov).gov
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