Legislation that would overhaul Missouri’s criminal code has received first-round approval in the Missouri House. It would create a new class of felonies and give judges more flexibility in handing down sentences.
During debate on Tuesday, the sponsor, Republican Stanley Cox of Sedalia, gave an example of where he says changes are sorely needed.
“Involuntary manslaughter under our present law, such as a drunk driver killing someone, and the offense of forgery is exactly the same punishment. This code changes it to make manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, a C felony, punishable (by) up to 10 years (in prison), forgery would stay the same, up to seven years,” Cox said.
Issues that could have caused controversy were left out of the bill, in the interest of getting it passed this year. It needs one more vote before moving to the Senate, leaders in that chamber have said there’s probably not enough time to properly review and pass a criminal code this year.
