Misdemeanor Classifications in Missouri
- Class A misdemeanors include fraud, fraudulent use of a credit card device for less than $150, bad checks for less than $500, tampering of the second degree, institutional vandalism including causing damage to a place of worship, unlawful transfer of weapons and recklessly causing injury to another, which is defined as third-degree assault. Penalties include imprisonment up to one year in a local or county jail. A fine up to $1,000 may be assessed.
- Class B misdemeanors include reckless driving, first conviction of animal neglect and abandonment, unlawful entry on property known as first-degree trespass, second-degree property damage including damage to the property of another, first-offense driving while intoxicated and first-offense of driving under the influence. Conviction of a Class B misdemeanor is confinement in a local or county jail between 30 days and six months. A fine up to $500 may be assessed.
- Class C misdemeanors include a first offense of driving with an excessive blood alcohol content above 0.08 percent, second conviction of animal neglect and abandonment, private peace disturbance and third-degree assault, which includes when a person purposely places another person in apprehension of immediate physical injury. Confinement in a local or county jail up to 15 days is possible. A fine may be assessed up to $300.
- Infractions are the least serious and carry lesser penalties. Traffic offenses such as seat-belt violations, improper lane changes, disobeying a stop sign or red light, possession of tobacco by minors and driving while under the influence are infractions under Missouri law. Jail confinement is not a penalty for conviction of an infraction. A fine up to $200 may be assessed.