Missouri House Bill HB835

Missouri 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 3/2/23
• Report Pass: 4/20/23
• Refer: 5/5/23

Caption

Establishes the offense of use of a minor to commit a crime

Impact

The introduction of this bill signifies a tightening of laws regarding the protection of minors and increases accountability for adults engaging in criminal activities involving children. The proposed penalties escalate with the number of offenses, categorizing the crime as a class E felony for a first offense, a class D felony for a second offense, and a class C felony for any subsequent offenses. Such measures reflect an intention to deter adults from involving minors in illegal activities and to formalize the judicial response to these crimes.

Summary

House Bill 835 aims to establish a new offense in Missouri law: the use of a minor to commit a crime. The bill specifies that any person aged eighteen or older who intentionally employs, hires, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces a minor to commit a crime can be prosecuted accordingly. This initiative targets adult offenders who exploit minors for criminal acts and seeks to enhance protective measures for children by imposing significant penalties on those who engage in such exploitative behavior.

Contention

Although the bill primarily seeks to safeguard minors, discussions may arise about the implications for young offenders and the broader context of juvenile justice. Critics might argue that it could unintentionally criminalize minors who may be coerced by adults without recognizing the manipulative dynamics often inherent in such situations. Proponents affirm, however, that the law is necessary to equip law enforcement with the tools to combat adult manipulation of minors, addressing potential gaps in existing legal frameworks that fail to adequately protect vulnerable children.