569.080. Tampering in the first degree — penalty.
Messing with utilities or taking a vehicle without permission
It’s first-degree tampering if someone damages a utility to disrupt service or uses someone else’s vehicle without their okay.
1. A person commits tampering in the first degree if they:
- (1) Damage or mess with the property of a utility or health/safety service on purpose, and this causes major service problems for the public; or
- (2) Knowingly take, use, or deal with a motor vehicle like a car, boat, or plane without the owner’s permission.
2. In court, the following may be used to prove the person knew the vehicle was taken without consent, if the judge agrees it’s more helpful than harmful to the case:
- (1) The person had done something similar with a vehicle before; or
- (2) The person got the vehicle for a price way lower than its actual value, and knew it.
3. First-degree tampering is a class D felony.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
