Missouri State Laws

State laws are not a new thought for Missouri. Alcohol laws have been enacted in Missouri, perhaps due to its German immigration influence and brewery industry. Prohibition was rejected three times in Missouri before the federal government passed the law at a higher level. Today all alcohol laws are controlled by state-level governments.

Because of its history, Missouri has some of the most extensive alcohol regulation laws in the country. Some of these include open container laws, blue laws, local option laws, location laws, consumption laws, and intoxication laws. Missouri has also set law for its citizens in relation to labor laws, divorce laws, bankruptcy laws, driving under the influence laws, gun laws, and others.

Intoxication
Unlike most other states, Missouri does not have a law against allowing minors to consume alcohol. Other states have laws in relation to minors possessing alcohol, while Missouri law allows guardians to provide alcohol for minors. Most states do not allow citizens to drink alcohol in the open streets, however Missouri does not have any laws prohibiting this action. Those over twenty-one years of age are fully permitted to have plastic containers of alcohol in the streets.

Bankruptcy
The 2005 Bankruptcy Act created new bankruptcy regulations on a national level. These were established to limit those who qualify for bankruptcy and to decrease the abuse the federal bankruptcy system often experiences. Those who qualify for bankruptcy will have their expenses, income, and debt compared to the other citizens of Missouri.

Depending on where the individual falls in the state's mean, he or she will qualify for either Chapter Seven bankruptcy or Chapter Thirteen bankruptcy. Chapter Seven bankruptcy eliminates debt in about three months through the liquidation of personal property. Chapter Thirteen bankruptcy eliminates debt in a maximum of five years through a personal, monthly payment plan.

Drunken Driving
Driving under the influence consequences are based on how many previous offenses an individual has. An individual may also have his or her conviction increased because of aggravating circumstances, even in a first offense conviction.

Aggravating factors usually include driving over the speed limit, driving with a minor in the motor vehicle, causing injury to another, and having a blood alcohol content level twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Driving under the influence convictions usually include imprisonment, probation, driver's license suspension, vehicle impounding, alcohol abuse course, and fines.

Expungement
Most convictions are not allowed to be expunged in Missouri, including misdemeanor offenses, felony offenses, and driving under the influence offenses. When a record is expunged, the record does not disappear. It may later be used when an individual applies for the United States military or runs for public office.

Wages
Over many years Missouri gradually raised its minimum wage, until the federal government required every state to raise its minimum wages to seven dollars and twenty-five cents. Under this law an individual must be paid this minimum, unless he or she is tipped. Tipped employees, who receive thirty dollars in tips or more each month, can be paid anywhere between two and three dollars an hour legally.