Child Molestation Defense Lawyer in St. Louis

Child Molestation Laws in St. Louis and Missouri

There are four degrees of child molestation offenses in Missouri Law. Each involves "sexual contact" with a minor.

Missouri Revised Statutes §567.010 defines sexual contact as:

any touching of another person with the genitals or any touching of the genitals or anus of another person or the breast of a female person, or such touching through the clothing, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire of any person or for the purpose of terrorizing the victim

The four degrees of child molestation in Missouri are:

1. First-Degree Child Molestation (§566.067, RSMo) — Child molestation in the first degree involves sexual contact with a minor under the age of 14 if the offense is an "aggravated sexual offense," meaning the alleged victim suffered serious physical injury, a dangerous weapon was used, there is more than one alleged offender, if the alleged offender has previously been found guilty of a sex crime against a child or if the alleged offender is a family member.

   First-degree child molestation in Missouri is a class A felony, and can be punished with 10 to 30 years in prison. If it is not your first conviction or the child was less than 12 years old, you would not be eligible for probation or parole and could face life in prison.



2. Second-Degree Child Molestation (§566.068, RSMo) — A person commits child molestation in the second degree if they:
   • Commit sexual contact with a child who is less than 12 years old; or
   • If they are four years older than the alleged victim, commit sexual contact with a child who is less than 17 and the offense is an aggravated sexual offense

   Second-degree child molestation is a class B felony, and is punishable by at least five, but no more than 15, years in prison.



3. Third-Degree Child Molestation (§566.069, RSMo) — A person can be charged with child molestation in the third degree if they subject a child less than 14 years old to sexual contact.

   It is typically a class C felony, which requires a mandatory prison sentence of three to 10 years and a possible fine of up to $10,000. If forcible compulsion was used, meaning the alleged victim was threatened, forced or drugged, it becomes a class b felony.



4. Fourth-Degree Child Molestation (§566.071, RSMo) — Child molestation in the fourth degree occurs when a person more than four years older than a child less than 17 years old subjects the child to sexual contact.

   Fourth-degree child molestation is a class E felony, which is punishable by up to four years in state prison or county jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

Any of these charges would also require registering as a sex offender.