Statutory Sex Crimes Lawyer in St. Louis

Statutory Rape Laws in St. Louis and Missouri

There are two degrees of statutory rape in Missouri law.

1. First-Degree Statutory Rape and Attempt to Commit (§566.032, RSMo) — A person commits this offense if they have or attempt to have sexual intercourse with somebody who is younger than 14. The punishment for statutory rape in the first degree is five years to life in prison, unless:
   • The offense is an aggravated sexual offense, meaning the alleged victim was seriously harmed, a dangerous weapon or object was used to threaten them, there is more than one alleged offender or the alleged offender was a family member, in which case the sentence is 10 years to life
   • The alleged victim is under the age of twelve, in which case the sentence is 10 years to life
   • If the alleged offender is a persistent or predatory sexual offender, the sentence is life in prison without parole
2. Second-Degree Statutory Rape (§566.034, RSMo) — This offense involves someone 21 years old or over having sexual intercourse with someone who is younger than 17. It's a class D felony, which carries with it up to 7 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Statutory Sodomy Laws in Missouri

Missouri has two additional statutes for having "deviant sexual intercourse" with a minor:

• First-Degree Statutory Sodomy and Attempt to Commit (§566.062, RSMo) — This offense occurs when someone has or attempts to have deviate sexual intercourse with someone who is less than 14 years old. The punishment is a minimum of 5 years in prison or up to life imprisonment. If it's an aggravated sexual assault the minimum is 10 years, and if the alleged offender is a persistent or predatory sexual offender the punishment is life in prison.
• Second-Degree Statutory Sodomy and Attempt to Commit (§566.064, RSMo) — A person can be charged with second-degree statutory sodomy if they are 21 years or older and have deviant sexual intercourse with someone under the age of 17. It is a class D felony.