Missouri Indecent Exposure Laws

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016

In Missouri, it's illegal to expose your genitalia to others in public, thereby alarming them. While this crime is commonly referred to as indecent exposure, it's known as "sexual misconduct" in Missouri. As with other states, exposing your genitals to children brings on harsher penalties. The Missouri indecent exposure laws and their penalties are outlined in the table below.

Code Sections

In Missouri, sexual misconduct is a crime that's divided into three types with varying degrees of seriousness and accompanying penalties. The behaviors made illegal are:

Missouri Revised Statutes (MRS) Section 566.093 - Sexual Misconduct in the First Degree: Exposing one's genitals knowing it will likely alarm another, having sexual contact in the presence of others knowing it will likely alarm them, or having sex in a public place in presence of another person or persons
MRS Section 566.094 - Sexual Misconduct in the Second Degree: Requesting sexual conduct from another person in a way that will likely cause alarm, also known as solicitation
MRS Section 566.083 - Sexual Misconduct Involving a Child: Exposing one's genitals to a child under 15 years old knowing it will likely alarm them or for the sexual gratification of any person, coercing a child of under 15 to expose their genitals for the sexual gratification of any person including the child, or coercing a girl of less than 15 years old to expose her breasts over the internet or through other electronic means, such as text, for the sexual gratification of anyone

Penalty Levels

Penalties vary depending on the defendant's conduct and other factors, including the age of the victim and any prior convictions:

Class C felony - sexual misconduct involving a child with a prior sex offense conviction
Class D felony - sexual misconduct involving a child without a prior sex offense conviction
Class A misdemeanor - 1st degree sexual misconduct with prior conviction
Class B misdemeanor - 1st degree sexual misconduct without a prior conviction
Class C misdemeanor - 2nd degree sexual misconduct

Penalties

Punishments for felonies and misdemeanors in Missouri vary by class. The crimes above are subject to the following penalties:

Class C felony - imprisonment for 7 years or less and up to a $5,000 fine
Class D felony - imprisonment for 4 years or less and up to a $5,000 fine
Class A misdemeanor - jail for 1 year or less and up to a $1,000 fine
Class B misdemeanor - jail for up to 6 months and up to a $500 fine
Class C misdemeanor - jail for up to 15 days and up to a $300 fine

Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact a Missouri criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

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