First degree murder means someone chose to kill another person after thinking it over on purpose. If the person was 18 or older when they did it, the punishment is either the death penalty or life in prison with no chance of getting out early. If the person was under 18 at the time, a different law decides the punishment.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
565.020. First degree murder, — person under eighteen years of age, penalty. — 1. A person commits the of if he or she causes the death of another person after upon the matter.
2. The offense of murder in the first degree is a , and, if a person is eighteen years of age or older at the time of the offense, the punishment shall be either death or imprisonment for life without eligibility for or , or except by act of the governor. If a person has not reached his or her eighteenth birthday at the time of the , the punishment shall be as provided under section 565.033.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1983 S.B. 276, A.L. 1984 S.B. 448 § A, A.L. 1990 H.B. 974, A.L. 2016 S.B. 590) Effective 7-13-16 Execution, location, duties of the warden, 546.730
Related Missouri laws
Second degree murder, penalty
RSMo 565.021
Voluntary manslaughter, penalty
RSMo 565.023
Involuntary manslaughter, first degree, penalty
RSMo 565.024
Involuntary manslaughter, second degree, penalty
RSMo 565.027
Lesser degree offenses in homicide cases
RSMo 565.029
Consent as a defense
RSMo 565.010
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.