No, stealing under $150 in Missouri does not carry jail time for a first offense. It is a class D misdemeanor, and the only punishment is a fine of up to $500. This post explains what a class D misdemeanor means, how state and municipal charges differ, what changes after a prior stealing conviction, and how a conviction can follow you on your criminal record.
Is There Jail Time for Stealing Under $150 in Missouri?
There is no jail time for stealing under $150 in Missouri when the person has no previous findings of guilt for a stealing-related offense. A Missouri law that took effect January 1, 2017 reduced “stealing under $150” from a class A misdemeanor to a class D misdemeanor for first-time offenders. Before that law, the same charge could mean up to 1 year in jail.
Under the Missouri stealing statute (RSMo 570.030), the class D grade applies when the property is not one of the specially listed types, is worth less than $150, and the person has no earlier stealing-related finding of guilt. Andrea Rogers handles these cases as part of her shoplifting defense practice.
What Is a Class D Misdemeanor in Missouri?
A class D misdemeanor in Missouri is the lowest misdemeanor level, punishable by a fine only. According to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s misdemeanor unit, class D misdemeanors are fine-only offenses with a maximum fine of $500 and no jail term.
Here is how the four misdemeanor classes compare:
| Class | Maximum Jail | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | 1 year | $2,000 |
| Class B | 6 months | $1,000 |
| Class C | 15 days | $750 |
| Class D | None | $500 |
Source: St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, Misdemeanor Unit.
What Is the Maximum Penalty for Stealing in Missouri?
The maximum penalty for stealing in Missouri depends on the value of the property and the person’s record. These are the main levels:
- Under $150 with no prior stealing-related finding of guilt: class D misdemeanor, a fine only.
- Under $750 in most other cases: class A misdemeanor, with up to 1 year in jail.
- $750 or more: class D felony.
- Repeat stealing offenses: possible felony charge, covered below.
The statute also lists special types of property that are graded higher no matter what they cost, so the dollar amount is not the only factor. Andrea Rogers handles misdemeanor stealing charges, not felony stealing.
Does a Repeat Stealing Offense Change the Charge?
A repeat stealing offense can raise the charge to a class A misdemeanor or even a felony. The class D grade is only for people with no earlier stealing-related finding of guilt, so a second offense under $150 is generally charged as a class A misdemeanor.
The 2017 law also helped repeat offenders. Before it, a person charged with stealing or shoplifting for a 3rd time within 10 years had to be charged with felony stealing. The law now requires a felony charge only for the 4th stealing offense within 10 years. The penalties for felony stealing are much worse than for misdemeanor stealing.
Does the Fine Change for Class C Stealing?
The 2017 law increased the maximum fine for class C misdemeanor stealing from $300 to $750. Terms of imprisonment for the other classes of misdemeanor stealing did not change.
How Do Municipal and State Stealing Charges Differ?
A stealing or shoplifting case can be filed in either a municipal court or a state court. A city or town prosecutes a municipal case under its own ordinance, while a state case is prosecuted under the Missouri statute. Many shoplifting tickets in St. Louis City and St. Louis County are written under a local ordinance, so the court named on the ticket is the first thing to check.
The court matters because some courts are stricter than others. Fines and court costs differ from one court to the next, and the ticket or the court clerk can tell you the court date and the charge. Andrea can then explain what to expect in that particular court.
Will Stealing Under $150 Show Up on My Criminal Record?
A conviction for stealing under $150 shows up on your criminal record even though there is no jail. Having a conviction for stealing on your criminal record can prevent you from getting a job, renting an apartment, or obtaining a federal student loan. Paying the fine without a lawyer means pleading guilty, and a guilty plea is a conviction.
The record is the real cost of a “small” stealing ticket, because a fine of a few hundred dollars is paid once while a conviction stays visible to employers and landlords who run background checks. A past guilty plea can also be used against you if you are charged with stealing again. The shoplifting criminal record post covers this in more detail.
Can a Stealing Under $150 Charge Be Dismissed or Reduced?
A stealing charge under $150 can often be dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense. In many cases, an attorney can get a misdemeanor shoplifting or stealing charge dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense, such as “Littering.” The Littering reduction post explains how that works.
The outcome of a stealing case depends on many things, such as:
- which court your case is in (some courts are stricter than others),
- your criminal history (having prior convictions makes a big difference), and
- the details of your particular case (it’s worse if you ran from the security guard).
Every case is different, so Andrea reviews the specifics before suggesting a plan. No result is promised, but a dismissal or reduction is possible in many cases.
What Are the Possible Outcomes Without a Conviction?
Possible outcomes without a conviction include a plea bargain deal or a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS). In many cases, an attorney can negotiate a plea bargain deal with the Prosecutor and judge so that all you have to do is pay a fine and court costs, and you may not have to appear in court.
In other cases, the best possible outcome may be an SIS with probation. With an SIS, there will be no conviction on your criminal record if you successfully complete probation without any violations. The avoid jail time post explains these options for higher-value charges.
What Should I Do After Getting a Shoplifting Ticket?
After a shoplifting ticket, the best first step is to read the ticket for the court and date, then talk to an attorney before pleading. Do not plead guilty at the court window just to be done with it. The what to do post lists the steps after being caught.
The store may also send a civil demand letter asking for money. That letter is separate from the criminal case. Andrea can explain how it fits in when she reviews your charge.
Where Can I Read More About This Law?
An earlier post on the same topic covers the first-time-offender rule in a shorter form. The stealing under $150 post is a quick read.
The broader range of shoplifting penalties is covered in the post on the penalty for shoplifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can you steal before it’s a felony in Missouri?
Stealing becomes a felony in Missouri at $750 or more, and some types of property or repeat offenses can bring a felony charge at a lower amount. Under that amount, most first offenses are misdemeanors.
Is stealing under $150 a felony in Missouri?
Stealing under $150 is not a felony in most cases. It is a class D misdemeanor for a first offense, and a class A misdemeanor if the person has a prior stealing-related finding of guilt.
Can you go to jail for a class D misdemeanor in Missouri?
No, a class D misdemeanor in Missouri carries no jail time. The maximum punishment is a fine of up to $500.
What is the penalty for stealing under $500 in Missouri?
Stealing property worth under $500 is generally a class A misdemeanor, with a maximum of 1 year in jail, unless it qualifies as a first-offense class D misdemeanor under $150. The class A fine limit is $2,000 under the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s misdemeanor guide.
Will I have a criminal record for shoplifting under $150?
A guilty plea or conviction creates a criminal record, but a dismissal, a reduction, or an SIS can avoid a stealing conviction. The result depends on the court, your history, and the facts of the case.
The Bottom Line
Stealing under $150 in Missouri is a fine-only class D misdemeanor for a first offense, but the conviction can still cost you a job, an apartment, or a student loan. Andrea handles every call and every case personally. She offers a free consultation with a flat fee price quote up front. Call or reach out to The Rogers Law Firm if you have been charged with stealing or shoplifting in Missouri.
You can also see the flat fees on the pricing page.
The stealing and shoplifting service page explains how Andrea handles these cases.
