Missouri Police Warn About 7 New Laws That Just Went into Effect

There's an interesting advisory from the Missouri State Highway Patrol about 7 new pieces of legislation that are now officially laws that they are enforcing. They're trying to raise awareness because some of these changes are big and several directly affect the outcomes of certain driving violations and the consequences.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol shared 7 new changes from Senate Bill 754. I'll attempt to summarize, but I highly recommend checking out their full press release for details since I'm not a lawyer or law enforcement officer.

No warrants for traffic infractions

The courts will no longer issue arrest warrants for traffic tickets, however this does not mean accused violators are off the hook. There will be 3 different court dates set for traffic tickets and if the accused does not show up to any of the scheduled appearances, the court will issue a default penalty.

Endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree

I will share exact words as this one is a bit complicated. It says this new law "adds a section to the current law stating a person commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree if he or she knowingly encourages, aids or causes a child less than seventeen years of age to engage in any conduct which violates the provisions of chapter 571 or 579."

Reckless discharge of a firearm in a city or municipality

If you discharge a firearm into the sky as some have done in the past as a celebration, the penalties are now more severe. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says "A person who commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor for a first offense, a class E felony for a second offense, and a class D felony for a third or subsequent offense."

Valentine's Law

If you know the police are trying to stop you and you choose to flee, the following punishments go into effect:

(1) Such person operates a motor vehicle at a high speed or in any manner which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to any person; (class D felony)

(2) or as a result of such flight causes physical injury to another person; (class B felony)

(3) or as a result of such flight causes death to another person. (class A felony)

Max's Law

This new law is meant to protect law enforcement animals and increases punishments for those that harm them or try to harm them while they're on duty. Harming a law enforcement animal now "is a class A misdemeanor if the law enforcement animal is not injured to the point of requiring veterinary care or treatment. It is a class E felony if the law enforcement animal is seriously injured to the point of requiring veterinary care or treatment. It is a class D felony if the assault results in the death of such animal."

Delivery of a controlled substance causing serious physical injury

Their exact words say "A person commits the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing serious physical injury if a person delivers or distributes a controlled substance knowing such substance is mixed with another controlled substance and serious physical injury results from the use of such controlled substance. The offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing serious physical injury is a class C felony."