Charges and sentences
Felony and misdemeanor classes in Missouri
Missouri sorts felonies into five classes (Class A is the most serious and Class E the least) and misdemeanors into four classes (Class A is the most serious and Class D the least). Infractions are not crimes. A different version of the felony sentencing law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2028.1
Checked October 29, 2026 against Missouri's own statutes, then by a second reader. General information, not legal advice.
- What makes it a felony
- In Missouri, a felony is an offense the law calls a felony, or one for which a person found guilty may be sentenced to death or to more than one year in prison. Felonies are sorted into Class A, B, C, D or E, and misdemeanors into Class A, B, C or D. Infractions are not further classified and are not criminal offenses.1
- Felony theft starts at
- $750How theft is graded
- When a DWI is a felony
- A third DWI is a Class E felony (the person is a "persistent offender"). A fourth is a Class D felony, a fifth is a Class C felony, and a sixth or later is a Class B felony. Any later DWI by a person already found guilty of a DWI as a habitual offender, or of causing the death of another person under § 577.010.2(6)(b), is a Class A felony.2
Felony classes in Missouri
From most to least serious: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E. The sentence is the range the law allows; the judge picks within it.
| Class | Prison | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A felony | 10 to 30 years, or lifeSection 558.002 sets no dollar fine limit for Class A or B felonies. It does let the court fine a person up to double what they gained from the offense. | None set | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(1), 558.0027 |
| Class B felony | 5 to 15 yearsSection 558.002 sets no dollar fine limit for Class A or B felonies. It does let the court fine a person up to double what they gained from the offense. | None set | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(2), 558.0027 |
| Class C felony | 3 to 10 years | Up to $10,000 | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(3), 558.0027 |
| Class D felony | Up to 7 yearsFor Class D and E felonies, the court may instead order up to 1 year in a county jail or other authorized institution. | Up to $10,000 | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(4), 558.011(2), 558.0027 |
| Class E felony | Up to 4 yearsFor Class D and E felonies, the court may instead order up to 1 year in a county jail or other authorized institution. | Up to $10,000 | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(5), 558.011(2), 558.0027 |
Misdemeanor classes in Missouri
| Class | Jail | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | Up to $2,000 | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(6), 558.0027 |
| Class B misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | Up to $1,000 | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(7), 558.0027 |
| Class C misdemeanor | Up to 15 days | Up to $750 | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(8), 558.0027 |
| Class D misdemeanor | No jail term listedSection 558.011 lists jail terms only for Class A, B and C misdemeanors. | Up to $500 | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 558.002(1)(5)4 |
Below a misdemeanor
| Class | Penalty | The law |
|---|---|---|
| Infraction | Fine of up to $400; not a criminal offense | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.002(1)(6), 556.021(1)4 |
Good to know
A different version of § 558.011 takes effect Jan. 1, 2028. The prison terms stay the same, but the new version adds the share of the sentence a person must serve before parole (70% for Class A and 50% for Class B, for example) and ends conditional release for Class A and B felonies (and some sex offenses) committed on or after that date. The table above shows the version in force today.3
Fines are capped by § 558.002: $10,000 for Class C, D and E felonies, $2,000 for a Class A misdemeanor, $1,000 for Class B, $750 for Class C and $500 for Class D. A court may also fine up to double the money or property the person gained from the offense.4
For offenses defined outside the criminal code, the prison term or fine is the one set in the law that defines the offense.5
When theft is a felony in Missouri
In Missouri, stealing property or services worth $750 or more is a Class D felony (up to 7 years in prison). Taking property from a person, or stealing a car, a firearm or certain other listed items, is a felony at any value. Stealing $25,000 or more is a Class C felony. Below $750, stealing is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class D misdemeanor if the value is under $150 and the person has no earlier stealing finding of guilt.6
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 570.030(4)(1), (5)(1), (7), (8) · Felony theft amounts in every state
DWI in Missouri
Missouri calls it driving while intoxicated (DWI).
- Repeat offenses
- A third DWI is a Class E felony (the person is a "persistent offender"). A fourth is a Class D felony, a fifth is a Class C felony, and a sixth or later is a Class B felony. Any later DWI by a person already found guilty of a DWI as a habitual offender, or of causing the death of another person under § 577.010.2(6)(b), is a Class A felony.
- Which past offenses count
- A second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor if the earlier offense occurred within 5 years of the new one. For the felony levels, the definitions of persistent, aggravated, chronic and habitual offender set no time limit on earlier offenses. Earlier findings of guilt under state, county or municipal law, federal law or military law count, and must come before the date of the new offense.
- Other felony versions
- Causing physical injury to another person while driving drunk, with criminal negligence, is a Class D felony, and serious physical injury is a Class C felony. For a death, the 2026 law lists the same conduct twice: causing "the death of another person" is a Class B felony in § 577.010.2(6)(b), and causing "the death of any person" is a Class A felony in § 577.010.2(7)(a).
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 577.010(2), 577.001, 577.0232 · Felony DUI rules in every state
After a conviction
Common questions
What is a felony in Missouri?
In Missouri, a felony is an offense the law calls a felony, or one for which a person found guilty may be sentenced to death or to more than one year in prison. Felonies are sorted into Class A, B, C, D or E, and misdemeanors into Class A, B, C or D. Infractions are not further classified and are not criminal offenses.
What is a Class A felony in Missouri?
In Missouri, the prison range for a Class A felony is 10 to 30 years, or life. Section 558.002 sets no dollar fine limit for Class A or B felonies. It does let the court fine a person up to double what they gained from the offense.
What is a Class B felony in Missouri?
In Missouri, the prison range for a Class B felony is 5 to 15 years. Section 558.002 sets no dollar fine limit for Class A or B felonies. It does let the court fine a person up to double what they gained from the offense.
What is a Class C felony in Missouri?
In Missouri, the prison range for a Class C felony is 3 to 10 years, and the fine is up to $10,000.
What is a Class D felony in Missouri?
In Missouri, the prison range for a Class D felony is up to 7 years, and the fine is up to $10,000. For Class D and E felonies, the court may instead order up to 1 year in a county jail or other authorized institution.
What is a Class E felony in Missouri?
In Missouri, the prison range for a Class E felony is up to 4 years, and the fine is up to $10,000. For Class D and E felonies, the court may instead order up to 1 year in a county jail or other authorized institution.
What is a Class A misdemeanor in Missouri?
In Missouri, the jail range for a Class A misdemeanor is up to 1 year, and the fine is up to $2,000.
What is a Class B misdemeanor in Missouri?
In Missouri, the jail range for a Class B misdemeanor is up to 6 months, and the fine is up to $1,000.
What is a Class C misdemeanor in Missouri?
In Missouri, the jail range for a Class C misdemeanor is up to 15 days, and the fine is up to $750.
What is a Class D misdemeanor in Missouri?
In Missouri, the jail range for a Class D misdemeanor is no jail term listed, and the fine is up to $500. Section 558.011 lists jail terms only for Class A, B and C misdemeanors.
How much theft is a felony in Missouri?
In Missouri, stealing property or services worth $750 or more is a Class D felony (up to 7 years in prison). Taking property from a person, or stealing a car, a firearm or certain other listed items, is a felony at any value. Stealing $25,000 or more is a Class C felony. Below $750, stealing is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class D misdemeanor if the value is under $150 and the person has no earlier stealing finding of guilt.
Is a DWI a felony in Missouri?
A third DWI is a Class E felony (the person is a "persistent offender"). A fourth is a Class D felony, a fifth is a Class C felony, and a sixth or later is a Class B felony. Any later DWI by a person already found guilty of a DWI as a habitual offender, or of causing the death of another person under § 577.010.2(6)(b), is a Class A felony. Causing physical injury to another person while driving drunk, with criminal negligence, is a Class D felony, and serious physical injury is a Class C felony. For a death, the 2026 law lists the same conduct twice: causing "the death of another person" is a Class B felony in § 577.010.2(6)(b), and causing "the death of any person" is a Class A felony in § 577.010.2(7)(a).
These are the general ranges in Missouri's sentencing laws. A specific crime can carry its own minimum or maximum, and past convictions can raise the range. This isn't legal advice; a defense lawyer or public defender can tell you what applies to a case.
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Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "Felony and misdemeanor classes in Missouri" https://secondchanceindex.com/felony-classes/missouri, checked October 29, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.
- Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 556.061(26), 557.016, 556.021(1)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 577.010(2), 577.001, 577.023
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 558.011 (effective Jan. 1, 2028)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 558.002
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 557.011(1)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 570.030(4)(1), (5)(1), (7), (8)
- RSMo 557.016 Classification of offensesMissouri Revisor of Statutes
- RSMo 556.021 Infractions - procedure - default judgment, whenMissouri Revisor of Statutes
- RSMo 558.011 Sentence of imprisonment, terms - conditional release (version effective Aug. 28, 2021)Missouri Revisor of Statutes
- RSMo 577.001 Chapter definitionsMissouri Revisor of Statutes
- RSMo 577.023 Aggravated, chronic, persistent and prior offenders, when - trial procedures - sentencing informationMissouri Revisor of Statutes
- SS SCS HB 1740 (2026), truly agreed and finally passedMissouri House of Representatives