{"id":373440,"date":"2017-03-16T12:59:39","date_gmt":"2017-03-16T17:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/kansas-law\/kansas-criminal-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-04T10:55:26","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T15:55:26","slug":"kansas-criminal-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/kansas-law\/kansas-criminal-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Kansas Criminal Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n \n Kansas Criminal Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The Kansas criminal code defines crimes in the state as an act or omission for which Kansas statutes allow imprisonment, a fine, or both. Kansas is one of 25 states with the death penalty<\/a> on its books but has not performed an execution since 1965.<\/p>\r\n

Kansas classifies crimes as felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and tobacco infractions. Kansas also has separate statutes for obscure matters like improper sale of a rabies vaccine (KSA \u00a7 21-1213<\/a>) and unlawful sale or use of trading stamps (KSA \u00a7 21-2801<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Kansas Criminal Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The first of the Kansas criminal statutes explains a criminal act, government functions, and the statute of limitations for criminal proceedings (Kansas Statutes Annotated Art. 51<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Article 52 describes the principles of criminal liability. To prove a defendant committed a crime, the prosecutor must show they committed the act either:<\/p>\r\n