Missouri Domestic Violence Law
Missouri Domestic Violence Defense
What you're facing under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.074, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Missouri (MO) domestic violence law.
Offense Class
Class E Felony (general); Class D Felony (special victim or prior conviction)
Maximum Penalty
4 years (Class E); 7 years (Class D)
Maximum Fine
$10,000
Federal Firearms Prohibition (Lautenberg Amendment)
A conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence in Missouri carries a federalfirearms-possession ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). This consequence is collateral to Missouri state penalties and applies regardless of the state sentence imposed.
Penalty Range in Missouri
Charge Enhancements
These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Missouri:
- Prior DV conviction (enhanced classification)
- Strangulation (§ 565.073, Class D Felony)
- First-degree domestic assault (§ 565.072, Class B Felony)
Missouri-Specific Detail
Missouri has four degrees of domestic assault. First-degree (serious injury with weapon) is Class B Felony. Fourth-degree (§ 565.076) is Class A Misdemeanor.
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Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Missouri domestic violence law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.