573.037. Possession of child pornography — penalty.
It’s a felony to have child pornography or images that look like they involve minors.
This law makes it a crime to knowingly or recklessly possess child pornography involving anyone under 18. The penalties depend on how much material the person has and whether they’ve been convicted before.
1. A person commits possession of child pornography if they knowingly or recklessly have:
- Child pornography involving someone under 18, or
- Obscene material that looks like it involves someone under 18.
2. The penalties are:
- Class D felony if the person has only one still image of child pornography or one obscene still image.
- Class B felony if the person:
- (a) Has more than 20 still images of child pornography;
- (b) Has more than 20 obscene still images;
- (c) Has even one video, movie, or other moving image of child pornography;
- (d) Has even one video, movie, or other moving image of obscene material involving a minor;
- (e) Has already been convicted under this law before.
3. Each piece of child pornography or obscene material counts as a separate offense, and the person can be punished for each one separately.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
