Assault in the first degree means someone tries to kill another person, or tries to seriously hurt them, or actually does seriously hurt them. It is a class B felony, but it becomes a more serious class A felony if the person actually causes serious physical injury or if the victim is a 'special victim.'
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
565.050. , first degree, . — 1. A person commits the of assault in the first degree if he or she attempts to kill or causes or attempts to cause to another person.
2. The offense of assault in the first degree is a unless in the course thereof the person inflicts serious physical injury on the victim, or if the victim of such assault is a , as the term "special victim" is defined under section 565.002, in which case it is a .
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Red section numbers link to that law.
Source & history notes
(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1983 S.B. 276, A.L. 1984 S.B. 448 § A, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17 No bail, certain defendants, certain offenses, 544.671
Related Missouri laws
Assault, second degree, penalty
RSMo 565.052
Assault in the third degree
RSMo 565.054
Assault in the fourth degree
RSMo 565.056
Special victims
RSMo 565.058
Death penalty, if held unconstitutional, resentencing procedure
RSMo 565.040
Supreme court to review all death sentences, procedure
RSMo 565.035
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.