TAMPERING OFFENSE

JEFFERSON COUNTY MISSOURI TAMPERING OFFENSES LAWYER

Tampering; from property to vehicles and more

Under Missouri law, tampering generally refers to interfering with a person’s property or a public utility. Tampering is commonly charged when the offense involves joyriding in a vehicle because it is a much easier offense for the State to prove than stealing. Where stealing requires the prosecution to prove that the perpetrator intended to permanently deprive the owner of the property, tampering only requires that the person operated the motor vehicle without the consent of the owner. Nevertheless, tampering is a serious offense, with tampering in the first degree carrying a maximum punishment of up to 7 years in the Department of Corrections and/or a fine of up to $10,000.


Tampering can also occur relation to computers. These offenses involve the use of a computer and/or computer network to commit the offense. Under Missouri law some of the distinct offense related to computer tampering include tampering with computer data, tampering with computer equipment and tampering with computer users. Tampering with computer data is charged when some modifies or steals computer data, passwords, obtains data illegally, or invades someone’s privacy through a network. Tampering with computer equipment covers those situations where someone modifies or destroys actual computer equipment. Finally, tampering with computer users occurs when someone accesses a computer system or network without authority to do so. All of these offenses are class A misdemeanors that carry up to 1 year in the county jail and/or a fine of up to $2000.

Missouri Tampering Crimes FAQ's

  • Tampering in the First Degree

    A person commits the offense of tampering in the first degree if he or she: (1) For the purpose of causing a substantial interruption or impairment of a service rendered to the public by a utility or by an institution providing health or safety protection, damages or tampers with property or facilities of such a utility or institution, and thereby causes substantial interruption or impairment of service; or (2) Knowingly receives, possesses, sells, or unlawfully operates an automobile, airplane, motorcycle, motorboat or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner thereof.


    The offense of tampering in the first degree is a class D felony.

  • Tampering in the Second Degree

    A person commits the offense of tampering in the second degree if he or she: (1) Tampers with property of another for the purpose of causing substantial inconvenience to that person or to another; or (2) Unlawfully rides in or upon another’s automobile, airplane, motorcycle, motorboat or other motor-propelled vehicle; or (3) Tampers or makes connection with property of a utility; or (4) Tampers with, or causes to be tampered with, any meter or other property of an electric, gas, steam or water utility, the effect of which tampering is either: (a) To prevent the proper measuring of electric, gas, steam or water service; or (b) To permit the diversion of any electric, gas, steam or water service.


    Tampering in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

  • Tampering with Computer Data

    A person commits the offense of tampering with computer data if he or she knowingly and without authorization or without reasonable grounds to believe that he has such authorization: (1) Modifies or destroys data or programs residing or existing internal to a computer, computer system, or computer network; or (2) Modifies or destroys data or programs or supporting documentation residing or existing external to a computer, computer system, or computer network; or (3) Discloses or takes data, programs, or supporting documentation, residing or existing internal or external to a computer, computer system, or computer network; or (4) Discloses or takes a password, identifying code, personal identification number, or other confidential information about a computer system or network that is intended to or does control access to the computer system or network; (5) Accesses a computer, a computer system, or a computer network, and intentionally examines information about another person; (6) Receives, retains, uses, or discloses any data he knows or believes was obtained in violation of this subsection.


    The offense of tampering with computer data is a class A misdemeanor.

  • Tampering with Computer Equipment

    A person commits the offense of tampering with computer equipment if he or she knowingly and without authorization or without reasonable grounds to believe that he or she has such authorization: (1) Modifies, destroys, damages, or takes equipment or data storage devices used or intended to be used in a computer, computer system, or computer network; or (2) Modifies, destroys, damages, or takes any computer, computer system, or computer network.


    The offense of tampering with computer equipment is a class A misdemeanor.

  • Tampering with Computer Users

    A person commits the offense of tampering with computer users if he or she knowingly and without authorization or without reasonable grounds to believe that he or she has such authorization: (1) Accesses or causes to be accessed any computer, computer system, or computer network; or (2) Denies or causes the denial of computer system services to an authorized user of such computer system services, which, in whole or in part, is owned by, under contract to, or operated for, or on behalf of, or in conjunction with another.


    The offense of tampering with computer users is a class A misdemeanor.

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