1. A person commits the offense of murder in the first degree if he or she knowingly causes the death of another person after deliberation upon the matter.

2. The offense of murder in the first degree is a class A felony, and, if a person is eighteen years of age or older at the time of the offense, the punishment shall be either death or imprisonment for life without eligibility for probation or parole, or release except by act of the governor. If a person has not reached his or her eighteenth birthday at the time of the commission of the offense, the punishment shall be as provided under section 565.033.

Attorney's Note

Under the Missouri Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class A felonybetween 10 years and life
For details, see Mo. Rev. Stat.§ 558.011

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Terms Used In Missouri Laws 565.020

  • Deliberation: cool reflection for any length of time no matter how brief. See Missouri Laws 565.002
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.