566.125. Persistent sexual offender, predatory sexual offender, defined, extension of term, when, minimum term.
Repeat sex offenders can get life in prison with no chance of early release
If someone is convicted of certain sex crimes and has done it before, Missouri law requires the judge to give them a longer prison sentence—often for life. These rules are especially strict for repeat or dangerous offenders.
1. A person must get a longer prison sentence if they’re found guilty of certain sex crimes and have done one of these crimes before:
- Statutory rape or sodomy (first degree)
- Rape or sodomy (first degree)
- Forcible rape or forcible sodomy
- Other serious types of rape or sodomy
2. A “persistent sexual offender” is someone who has already been found guilty of one of those crimes—either in Missouri or another state.
3. A persistent sexual offender must be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole or probation—ever. “Life” means the rest of their natural life. They don’t qualify for early release programs.
4. A “predatory sexual offender” must also get a life sentence if they’re convicted of one of the crimes listed above or of child molestation (first or second degree) or felony-level sexual abuse.
5. Someone is considered a “predatory sexual offender” if:
- (1) They’ve already been found guilty of one of the listed sex crimes or child molestation or felony sexual abuse; or
- (2) They committed one of those acts before, even without being convicted; or
- (3) They’ve committed acts against more than one victim, even if not charged for every act.
6. A predatory sexual offender must be sentenced to life in prison, but they can still be eligible for parole. However, even if they get out on parole, they can never be fully released from the system.
7. The judge must set the minimum number of years the person must serve before being considered for parole. The required minimum depends on what they’ve done in the past:
- (1) If they’ve been convicted of one of the listed crimes before and again now — they must serve at least 30 years.
- (2) If they were previously convicted of child molestation or felony sexual abuse and are now convicted of one of the listed crimes — they must serve at least 15 years.
- (3) If they were convicted of either type of crime in the past and again now — they must serve at least 15 years.
- (4) If both the past and current charges are for child molestation or felony sexual abuse — they must serve at least 15 years.
- (5) If labeled a predatory offender only because of past acts or having more than one victim, the sentence range will match what the law allows for the crime, even without the label.
8. People sentenced as persistent or predatory sexual offenders can never be granted temporary leave from prison for any reason.
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