1. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the construction and procedures for charging, trial, punishment and appellate review of any offense defined in this chapter and committed after July 1, 1984.

2. The provisions of this chapter shall not govern the construction or procedures for charging, trial, punishment or appellate review of any offense committed before the effective date of this chapter. Such an offense must be construed, punished, charged, tried and reviewed on appeal according to applicable provisions of law existing prior to the effective date of this chapter in the same manner as if this chapter had not been enacted, the provisions of section 1.160 notwithstanding.

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Terms Used In Missouri Laws 565.001

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

3. All provisions of “The Criminal Code” or other law consistent with the provisions of this chapter shall apply to this chapter. In the event of a conflict, the provisions of this chapter shall govern the interpretation of the provisions of this chapter.

4. Persons accused of committing a homicide offense shall be prosecuted:

(1) In the county in which the offense is committed; or

(2) If the offense is committed partly in one county and partly in another, or if the elements of the offense occur in more than one county, then in any of the counties where any element of the offense occurred; or

(3) In the county in which the body of the deceased victim is found; or

(4) If subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection do not apply, then in the county in which the victim lived.

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