Missouri Child Pornography Laws
By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed May 22, 2025
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There are federal and state laws against child pornography. Most states consider sex crimes involving children as reprehensible. Therefore, the penalties for these criminal offenses are severe. If you’re facing child pornography charges, you should familiarize yourself with Missouri’s child pornography laws.
Under Missouri law, the promotion, distribution, and possession of child pornography is a crime. If law enforcement catches you with pornographic materials depicting someone under the age of 18, they’ll arrest you and charge you with a felony.
Degrees of Child Pornography Charges in Missouri
The State of Missouri has different levels of child pornography charges. The most serious are those child pornography cases involving children under the age of 14. Child pornography offenses involving children under 14 years of age are first-degree offenses and carry severe penalties, including life in prison.
Second-degree criminal charges involve images of child pornography featuring children under 18 years of age. Providing or showing porn to a child under 18 is also illegal.
Missouri’s Child Porn Laws at a Glance
The table below offers details about Missouri child pornography laws. For more information, see the FindLaw Sex Crimes section.
Missouri Child Pornography Code Sections |
Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 573: Pornography and Related Offenses
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What Is Prohibited? |
It’s illegal to photograph, film, videotape, or order anyone under the age of 18 to perform sexually. It’s also unlawful to make a minor watch sexually explicit material, including material on the internet. Buyers and sellers of "obscene" materials must confirm the materials do not include a visual depiction of a child under the age of 18. Obscene materials are those that the average person would consider to be depicting sexual conduct and lacking serious artistic or scientific value. It is also illegal for any adult to engage in sexting with a minor, especially if the content of the texts includes sexually explicit images of a child. |
Missouri Child Pornography Penalties |
Penalties vary depending on the defendant’s conduct and such person’s knowledge of the age of the child involved (or the apparent age of the child):
Punishments for felonies and misdemeanors in Missouri vary by class. The felonies above are subject to the following prison sentences and fines:
Anybody guilty of child pornography in Missouri will be subject to mandatory sex offender registration as well. |
Disclaimer: State laws are constantly changing. Contact a Missouri sex crime attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.
Missouri Sexual Assault Laws: Related Resources
- Child Pornography - Federal Laws
- Child Pornography and Selfies: What You Need to Know
- The Sex Offender Registry: What You Need to Know
- Statutory Rape
- Missouri Law
- Official State Codes
A Missouri Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help
If you’re facing child pornography charges, consider contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney. Not only will a conviction for this type of crime result in a prison sentence and fines, but you will also have to register as a sex offender.
Your attorney will work hard to get the prosecutor to drop or reduce the criminal charges and secure the best possible outcome in your case.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Complex cases usually require a lawyer
- Experienced lawyers can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties
- Sexual assaults & sex crime convictions often have long sentences and lifelong consequences
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
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