Missouri · Criminal & Records
The Missouri Criminal Law Guide
Understanding Missouri's criminal code, felony classes, bail process, and sentencing options.
2026-2027 Edition · Cited to Missouri law · Plain language
Paperback · $19.99
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Cited to the statute · Legal information, not legal advice
Missouri criminal cases, explained from arrest to appeal
Felony classes A through E, bail and pretrial release, SIS vs. SES, offender status, and post-conviction motions under Rules 24.035 and 29.15.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
An arrest turns life upside down in an instant, for the person charged and for everyone who cares about them. The court system has its own language, its own timelines, and decisions that carry consequences for years.
The Missouri Criminal Law Guide explains the state's criminal justice system from arrest through appeal. It covers how the Revised Criminal Code defines crimes, the difference between felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions, and the felony classes A through E, from a Class A range of 10 to 30 years or life down to a Class E maximum of four years. It explains the four culpable mental states a prosecutor must prove and how prior and persistent offender status can raise a sentence under RSMo § 558.016.
The guide walks through each stage of a case, including:
• The first appearance, the bail hearing, and the presumption of release on personal recognizance
• Preliminary hearings, grand jury indictments, and arraignment
• Plea bargaining, trial, and sentencing
• The key difference between a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) and a suspended execution of sentence (SES)
• Post-conviction motions under Rules 24.035 and 29.15, and expungement
Separate sections speak to the accused person and to family members and supporters, with checklists, a glossary, and questions to ask an attorney. Legal information, not legal advice.
WHAT’S INSIDE
- The Foundation: Missouri's Revised Criminal Code
- Crime Classification: Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions
- Culpable Mental States: What the Prosecutor Must Prove
- Offender Status: How Past Convictions Affect a New Case
- Exceptions and Defenses
- Rights of Family Member or Supporter
- Step-by-step procedures from each side, with deadlines at a glance
- 25 real-world questions and answers
- Statute index, key court decisions and official forms
- Toolkit: checklists, comparison tables, glossary and common mistakes to avoid
WHY READERS TRUST THIS GUIDE
Plain language. Cited to the statute. Dated so you know it is current.
Every rule is cited to Missouri law so you can verify it.
Cited, so you can check it
Every rule names the section of Missouri law it comes from, so you can read the source yourself.
Plain language, no filler
Written to be read start to finish by someone with no legal training, with worked examples.
Dated and updated
Each guide carries a law-current date and new editions ship when the law changes.
Bonus toolkit
Register your book for this topic’s checklists, worksheets and starter template, as soon as they are ready.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
Missouri criminal charges: what to know before you order.
Straight answers about what the guide is, what it covers and how it reaches you.
What is the difference between an SIS and an SES in Missouri?
With a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS), no sentence is imposed and successful probation ends without a conviction. With a suspended execution of sentence (SES), a sentence is announced and a conviction is entered. The guide explains both.
How is bail decided in Missouri?
Missouri law directs judges to consider release on personal recognizance first and to use more restrictive conditions only when needed to assure appearance in court. The guide explains the factors under RSMo § 544.455.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is legal information in plain language, cited to the law, so you understand your options and know what to ask. Reading it creates no attorney-client relationship.
Is it written for Missouri?
Yes. This guide is written for Missouri law and cites the Missouri statutes and rules it relies on. If your case is in another state, choose that state's edition.
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PLEASE READ
Legal information, not legal advice. STACKED LEGAL® is a publisher, not a law firm. Buying or reading this book creates no attorney-client relationship and promises no outcome. Laws change; verify current law and talk to a licensed attorney in Missouri about your situation.
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