If you are in trouble with the law and have been charged with a crime, the prosecution has to prove that you actually committed said crime. The state court will render you guilty and pass judgment only when the prosecutor has provided proof of the allegations presented to the court. Like any other state in the United States, Missouri has rules, acts and statutes determining the sentencing of accused individuals.
Let’s examine some of the various types of crime that happen frequently in St. Louis.
Murder and homicide
Murder includes warranted homicide, manslaughter, culpable negligent killing, and vehicular manslaughter.
Murder is also classified as either first or second-degree. Missouri Code § 565 021 stipulates that you can be charged with first-degree murder if you intentionally kill another person or cause their death. The state has to prove that the crime was pre-planned. If charged with first-degree murder (a class A felony), you could face the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.
If you consciously murder a person or kill someone while trying to harm them physically, you could be charged with second-degree murder according to Missouri Code § 565 021. You can also be charged with second-degree murder if you kill a person while committing or attempting to commit a felony. Second-degree murder charges can lead to between 10 and 30 years imprisonment with no eligibility for probation.
Violent behavior
In the United States, if you use (or threaten to use) aggressive force against a person, you are said to have committed a violent crime. Such crimes include physical or sexual assault, murder, and certain types of robbery.
Sexual assault/rape
Chapter 566, Sexual Offenses, Section 566.030 states that if a person uses force during sexual intercourse, they can face prison time of up to 5 years. Additionally, if in the course of the sexual encounter the perpetrator causes serious harm to the victim or displays a weapon, they face 15 years to life imprisonment.
Drug crimes
Drug crimes involve the possession or trafficking of narcotics. State laws target possession and federal drug laws target trafficking. Therefore, convictions for federal drug crimes carry harsher punishments.
According to chapter 195, Drug Regulations, Section 195. 222 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, drug trafficking can be either a class A felony or class B felony. In Missouri, people serving prison time for drug trafficking aren’t eligible for parole.
If convicted of a class A felony, you could face 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment. Class B offenses come with a punishment of five to 15 years.
