Missouri
Missouri Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Privacy Protections
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 15, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 15, 2026. · 6 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Missouri criminalizes voyeurism and hidden-camera recording under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.252, the state's invasion of privacy statute. The law prohibits secretly photographing or recording a person in a state of nudity where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, and it separately reaches photographing or filming under or through a person's clothing to view their body or undergarments without consent, so it does not require the victim to be nude for that second category. A related section, 565.253, once covered similar hidden-camera conduct but was repealed in 2017; the conduct it addressed is now covered by Section 565.252 only to the extent it involves nudity or under-clothing images.
Missouri takes voyeurism and hidden camera offenses seriously, with multiple statutes targeting different forms of privacy invasion through recording. The state's voyeurism laws protect people from being secretly photographed, filmed, or observed in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. These protections apply whether the recording happens in a private home, a public restroom, a fitting room, or any other location where a person would reasonably expect not to be watched.
This guide covers Missouri's voyeurism statutes, hidden camera laws, revenge porn prohibitions, penalties, and the legal options available to victims.
Missouri Voyeurism Statute: Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.252
What the Law Prohibits
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.252 defines voyeurism as knowingly photographing, filming, videotaping, or recording by any means the image of another person who is in a state of full or partial nudity, without that person's knowledge and consent, when the person is in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
The statute targets three categories of conduct:
- Recording nudity without consent when the victim expects privacy
- Viewing or observing another person in a state of nudity through a window, door, or other opening without consent
- Using a device to capture images of a person's intimate areas when those areas would not normally be visible, regardless of whether the person is in a public or private location
Key Legal Elements
For prosecutors to secure a conviction under Section 565.252, they must prove:
- Knowledge: The defendant knew what they were doing (not an accidental capture)
- Recording or observation: The defendant used a camera, phone, or other device to photograph, film, or observe
- State of nudity: The victim was fully or partially nude, or the recording captured intimate areas not normally visible
- Lack of consent: The victim did not know about or consent to the recording
- Reasonable expectation of privacy: The victim was in a location where privacy was expected
What Qualifies as a "Reasonable Expectation of Privacy"?
Missouri courts evaluate reasonable expectation of privacy on a case-by-case basis using an objective standard. Locations where courts consistently find a reasonable expectation of privacy include:
- Bathrooms (both residential and commercial)
- Bedrooms and sleeping areas
- Changing rooms and fitting rooms in retail stores
- Locker rooms at gyms, schools, and pools
- Hotel rooms
- Shower facilities
- Medical examination rooms
- Tanning booths and spa treatment rooms
Public sidewalks, parks, and open retail floors generally do not carry a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, "upskirting" or using a device to see under someone's clothing is illegal even in public spaces because the intimate areas being recorded are not normally visible.
What Missouri's Invasion of Privacy Law Covers
What the Statute Reaches and Where It Does Not
Missouri once had a second statute, Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.253, that reached hidden-camera recording of a person in a private space even when the camera never captured nudity. That statute was repealed effective January 1, 2017 (2014 S.B. 491) and is no longer live law.
Today, Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.252 is the state's only voyeurism-specific criminal statute, and its elements reach two things:
- Recording a person in a state of full or partial nudity, without consent, in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy
- Recording under or through a person's clothing to view their body or undergarments, without consent
A hidden camera that captures nudity or under-clothing images in a bedroom, bathroom, or similar private space is illegal under Section 565.252. A camera that only ever records a fully clothed person doing ordinary things, with no nudity and no under-clothing footage, falls outside the statute's specific elements. That gap does not make hidden cameras risk-free: a victim can still pursue a civil claim for intrusion upon seclusion, and if the camera also records audio, the person who placed it can face wiretapping exposure under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 542.402.
Hidden Camera Placement
Because bathrooms, private bedrooms, changing areas, employee locker rooms, and medical examination rooms are exactly the places where a hidden camera is most likely to capture nudity or under-clothing images, placing a hidden camera in any of these locations without the occupant's consent carries a high risk of prosecution under Section 565.252:
- Residential bathrooms
- Private bedrooms (including guest bedrooms and hotel rooms)
- Changing areas in stores
- Employee locker rooms or changing areas
- Medical examination rooms
- Any enclosed space where a person would reasonably expect to be free from observation
Section 565.252 applies to any recording device, including smartphones, miniature cameras, web cameras, and baby monitors used for improper purposes.
Penalties for Voyeurism Offenses
Criminal Penalties
Missouri classifies voyeurism offenses based on the severity of the conduct:
| Offense | Statute | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasion of privacy / voyeurism (adult victim) | Section 565.252 | Class A misdemeanor | 1 year in jail, $2,000 fine |
| Invasion of privacy / voyeurism (aggravated: images distributed, multiple victims, or prior conviction) | Section 565.252 | Class E felony | 4 years in prison, $10,000 fine |
Sex Offender Registration
Depending on the circumstances and the victim's age, a voyeurism conviction in Missouri may require sex offender registration under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 589.400. This is particularly likely when:
- The victim is a minor (under 18)
- The offense involves repeated or predatory behavior
- The conviction is for a felony-level offense
Sex offender registration carries lifelong consequences, including restrictions on where you can live, work, and travel.
Enhanced Penalties for Repeat Offenders
Missouri law allows for enhanced penalties when a defendant has prior convictions for voyeurism or related offenses. A second or subsequent conviction can elevate a misdemeanor to a felony, and judges have discretion to impose harsher sentences within the statutory range.
Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 573.110: The Revenge Porn Statute
Missouri's revenge porn law addresses one of the most harmful extensions of voyeurism: sharing intimate images without consent. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 573.110 makes it a crime to intentionally disseminate an image of another person who is:
- Fully or partially nude, or engaged in sexual conduct
- Depicted in an image obtained under circumstances where they had a reasonable expectation of privacy
- Not consenting to the dissemination
The prosecution must also show that the dissemination was made with the intent to harass, threaten, or coerce the victim.
Classification: Class D felony Maximum penalty: Up to 7 years in prison
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 573.112: Threatening to Disseminate
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 573.112 criminalizes the act of threatening to share private sexual images as a tool of coercion. This statute targets sextortion scenarios where someone threatens to release intimate images unless the victim complies with demands.
Classification and penalties: A first offense is a Class E felony (up to 4 years in prison). Under a 2026 amendment effective August 28, 2026 (2026 H.B. 2273), the penalty escalates for repeat and aggravated conduct: a second offense is a Class D felony (up to 7 years), a third or subsequent offense is a Class C felony (up to 10 years), and an offense involving a minor or vulnerable victim, or one that causes serious physical injury or death, is a Class B felony (up to 15 years). Before August 28, 2026, the statute carries a flat Class E felony penalty regardless of prior offenses.
What Counts as "Dissemination"?
Under Missouri law, dissemination includes:
- Posting images online (social media, websites, forums)
- Sending images via text message, email, or messaging apps
- Sharing images through file-sharing services
- Distributing physical copies (prints, USB drives)
- Showing images to third parties in person
Civil Remedies for Voyeurism Victims
Tort Claims
Victims of voyeurism in Missouri can pursue civil lawsuits separate from criminal prosecution. Available tort claims include:
- Intrusion upon seclusion: Missouri recognizes this invasion of privacy tort, which requires intentional intrusion into a person's private affairs in a manner that would be highly offensive to a reasonable person. Hidden camera cases strongly support this claim.
- Public disclosure of private facts: If voyeuristic images are shared, victims can sue for damages resulting from the public disclosure of private information.
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress: When voyeuristic conduct is extreme and outrageous, victims can recover damages for the emotional harm suffered.
Damages Available
Civil lawsuits can result in:
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress, therapy costs, lost wages, and other actual harm
- Punitive damages when the defendant's conduct was particularly egregious or malicious
- Injunctive relief ordering the defendant to destroy all copies of the images and prohibiting future distribution
- Attorney fees and court costs in some circumstances
Protective Orders
Victims of voyeurism involving an intimate partner or household member can seek orders of protection under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 455.010 (the Adult Abuse Act). These orders can require the abuser to stop all contact, stay away from the victim's home and workplace, and surrender any recording devices.
Voyeurism in Specific Settings
Workplace Hidden Cameras
Employers in Missouri cannot install hidden cameras in areas where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas are always off-limits. An employer who places cameras in these locations that capture nudity or under-clothing images faces criminal charges under Section 565.252 and civil liability for invasion of privacy.
Cameras in common work areas (hallways, sales floors, entrances) are generally legal because employees have a reduced expectation of privacy in these spaces.
Schools and Educational Facilities
Missouri schools must balance security needs with student privacy. Hidden cameras in student bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas are illegal under the same voyeurism statutes that apply everywhere else. School security cameras in hallways, entrances, and common areas are permissible.
Landlord-Tenant Voyeurism
A landlord who installs hidden cameras inside a rental unit commits voyeurism. Tenants have a strong reasonable expectation of privacy inside their rented home. Landlords can install security cameras in common areas of apartment buildings (lobbies, parking garages, hallways) but never inside individual units or in spaces where tenants expect privacy.
Retail Fitting Rooms
Retail stores in Missouri cannot install cameras inside fitting rooms or changing rooms. These are spaces where customers have an absolute expectation of privacy. A store can monitor fitting room entrances and exits but not the interior of the rooms themselves.
Rideshare and Transportation
Installing a hidden camera in a vehicle to record passengers without their knowledge raises voyeurism concerns when the camera captures images that a passenger would not expect to be recorded. While dashcams pointed at the road are generally legal, interior cameras that capture passengers in a state of nudity or record under or through their clothing could violate Section 565.252.
How Voyeurism Cases Are Investigated in Missouri
Reporting a Voyeurism Crime
If you discover a hidden camera or believe you have been recorded without consent in a private setting, you should:
- Contact local law enforcement immediately
- Do not touch or remove the device if possible, as it is evidence
- Document the location of the device with your own photos if safe to do so
- Preserve any digital evidence such as messages or threats related to the recording
- Contact a victim advocacy organization for support
Evidence in Voyeurism Prosecutions
Prosecutors typically rely on:
- The recording device itself and any stored images or video
- Digital forensic evidence from phones, computers, and cloud accounts
- Testimony from the victim and any witnesses
- Evidence of the defendant's access to the location where the device was found
- Communication records showing intent or distribution
Relationship to Missouri Wiretapping Laws
Missouri's voyeurism statute (Section 565.252) and wiretapping statutes (Sections 542.400 through 542.422) address different aspects of recording privacy. The wiretapping statutes focus on the interception of audio communications, while the voyeurism statutes focus on visual recording and observation.
A single act can violate both sets of laws. For example, placing a hidden camera with audio capability in someone's bedroom that captures nudity or under-clothing images could violate:
- Section 565.252 (invasion of privacy) for the video recording
- Section 542.402 (wiretapping) for the audio recording
Prosecutors can bring charges under multiple statutes for the same conduct, and courts can impose consecutive sentences.
Federal Laws That Apply
Video Voyeurism Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. Section 1801)
The federal Video Voyeurism Prevention Act makes it a crime to capture images of a person's private areas without consent on federal property or in areas under federal jurisdiction. This law applies on military bases, federal buildings, national parks, and other federal land in Missouri.
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
When voyeurism involves hacking into someone's webcam, phone camera, or cloud storage to access private images, the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. Section 1030) may also apply, adding federal charges to state voyeurism charges.
Explore More Missouri Recording Laws
Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism Laws | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant Recording | Dashcam Laws | School Recording | Medical Recording
Back to Missouri Recording Laws
More Missouri Recording Topics
More Missouri Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to place a hidden camera in someone's home in Missouri?
It depends on what the camera captures. Placing a hidden camera in a bedroom or bathroom that captures a person in a state of nudity, or that records under or through their clothing, is illegal under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.252 (invasion of privacy). A camera that only records a fully clothed person, with no nudity or under-clothing images, falls outside that statute's specific elements, though the person recorded may still have a civil claim for intrusion upon seclusion. First-offense penalties under Section 565.252 include up to 1 year in jail as a Class A misdemeanor, escalating to a Class E felony if the images are distributed, more than one person is recorded in the same course of conduct, or the defendant has a prior invasion of privacy conviction.
What are the penalties for voyeurism in Missouri?
Voyeurism under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.252 is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, $2,000 fine). It becomes a Class E felony (up to 4 years in prison, $10,000 fine) if the images are distributed or transmitted by computer, if more than one person is recorded in the same course of conduct, or if the defendant has a prior invasion of privacy conviction.
Is revenge porn illegal in Missouri?
Yes. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 573.110 makes nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images a Class D felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison. Threatening to disseminate such images is a Class E felony under Section 573.112 for a first offense (up to 4 years); starting August 28, 2026, that penalty escalates for repeat offenses and cases involving a minor, vulnerable victim, or serious injury. These laws apply whether the images were originally taken with consent or not.
Can I sue someone for voyeurism in Missouri?
Yes. Victims can file civil lawsuits for intrusion upon seclusion, public disclosure of private facts, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Civil remedies include compensatory damages for emotional harm, punitive damages for egregious conduct, injunctive relief ordering destruction of images, and attorney fees.
Do voyeurism convictions require sex offender registration in Missouri?
In some cases, yes. Felony voyeurism convictions, particularly those involving minors, may require sex offender registration under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 589.400. The requirement depends on the specific offense, the victim's age, and the circumstances. Sex offender registration carries lifelong consequences including residency and employment restrictions.
Updates
Removed all references to Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.253, which was repealed in 2017, and corrected the page to describe what the current Section 565.252 actually covers (nudity, and recording under or through clothing), noting that a hidden camera that never captures either falls outside that statute even though civil and other criminal exposure can still apply. Added the escalating Class D/C/B felony tiers that take effect for the threatening-dissemination statute (573.112) on August 28, 2026.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected the voyeurism penalty description: Mo. Rev. Stat. 565.252's felony enhancement is triggered by image distribution, multiple victims in one course of conduct, or a prior conviction, not by the victim's age.
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXXVIII (CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS), Chapter 565
§ 565.252Invasion of privacy, penalty.In forcecited in 13 of our articles
1. A person commits the offense of invasion of privacy if he or she knowingly: (1) Photographs, films, videotapes, produces, or otherwise creates an image of another person, without the person's consent, while the person is in a state of full or partial nudity and is in a place where one would have a reasonable expectation of privacy; or (2) Photographs, films, videotapes, produces, or otherwise creates an image of another person under or through the clothing worn by that other person for the purpose of viewing the body of or the undergarments worn by that other person without that person's consent.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2021
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Alexander (Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 2009, 574 F.3d 484)“…contends, because the Missouri invasioh-of-privacy statute, Mo.Rev.Stat. § 565.252, only prohibits the filming of a nude p…”
- T.S.H. v. Green (Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 2021, 996 F.3d 915)“…e where one would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.252.1(1). Reasonable officers could have be…”
- United States v. Michael Alexander (Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 2009)“…contends, because the Missouri invasion-of-privacy statute, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.252, only prohibits the filming of a nude p…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Surveillance, Privacy, and Consent, Missouri Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent (2026), Missouri Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXX (DOMESTIC RELATIONS), Chapter 455
§ 455.010Definitions.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall mean: (1) "Abuse", includes but is not limited to the occurrence of any of the following acts, attempts or threats against a person who may be protected pursuant to this chapter, except abuse shall not include abuse inflicted on a child by accidental means by an adult household member or discipline of a child, including spanking, in a reasonable manner: (a) "Abusing a pet", purposely or knowingly causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to a pet with the intent to control, punish, intimidate, or distress the petitioner; (b) "Assault", purposely or knowingly placing or attempting to place another in fear of physical harm; (c) "Battery", purposely or knowingly causing physical harm to another with or without a deadly weapon; (d) "Coercion", compelling another by force or threat of force to engage in conduct from which the latter has a right to abstain or to abstain from conduct in which the person has a right to engage; (e) "Harassment", engaging in a purposeful or knowing course of conduct involving more than one incident that alarms or causes…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Cited in 60 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- E.A.B. v. C.G.W. (Missouri Court of Appeals 2013, 415 S.W.3d 795)“…at person’s situation to have been alarmed by the conduct.” Mo.Rev.Stat. § 455.010(13). The legislature further defined “s…”
- In the Interest of K.A.W. (Supreme Court of Missouri 2004, 133 S.W.3d 1)“…c abuse, including but not limited to, abuses as defined in section 455.010, RSMo, child abuse or drug abuse before the c…”
- In the Interest of M.D.R. (Supreme Court of Missouri 2004, 124 S.W.3d 469)“…c abuse, including but not limited to, abuses as defined in section 455.010, RSMo, child abuse, or drug abuse before the…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get an Order of Protection, Missouri Name Change Laws: How to Legally Change Your Name
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXXVII (CRIMINAL PROCEDURE), Chapter 542
§ 542.402Penalty for illegal wiretapping, permitted activities.In forcecited in 17 of our articles
1. Except as otherwise specifically provided in sections 542.400 to 542.422, a person is guilty of a class E felony and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by law, if such person: (1) Knowingly intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any wire communication; (2) Knowingly uses, endeavors to use, or procures any other person to use or endeavor to use any electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept any oral communication when such device transmits communications by radio or interferes with the transmission of such communication; provided, however, that nothing in sections 542.400 to 542.422 shall be construed to prohibit the use by law enforcement officers of body microphones and transmitters in undercover investigations for the acquisition of evidence and the protection of law enforcement officers and others working under their direction in such investigations; (3) Knowingly discloses, or endeavors to disclose, to any other person the contents of any wire communication, when he knows or has reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire communication in…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Cited in 6 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Federal courts in Missouri have applied section 542.402 to covert audio recording. Fotoohighiam v. The City of Columbia Missouri (2025) let a wiretap count over recorded attorney-client jail calls proceed, with no prior consent shown, and Ward (2026) found a claim over a secretly recorded workplace conversation would not be futile.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Bartnicki v. Vopper (Supreme Court of the United States 2001, 532 U.S. 514)“…nn. § 750 .539e (West 1991); Minn. Stat. § 626A.02 (2000); Mo. Rev. Stat. § 542.402 (2000); Neb. Rev. Stat. § 86-702 (19…”
- Boehner, John A. v. McDermott, James A. (Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit 1999, 191 F.3d 463)“…p. 1995); Minn.Stat. Ann. §§ 626A.02, 626A.13 (West 1998); Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 542.402 , 542.418 (1996); Mont.Code Ann. § 45-8…”
- John Doe v. SSM Health Care Corporation (Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 2025, 126 F.4th 1329)✓Patients alleged a hospital's patient portal secretly sent health data to Facebook, pleading a Missouri wiretap claim under 542.402; the Eighth Circuit addressed only removal, held the wiretap count did not change that analysis, and affirmed remand without reaching its merits.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties, Missouri Dashcam Laws: Mounting Rules, Audio Recording, and Evidence (2026), Missouri Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules for Landline, Cell, and VoIP
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXXVIII (CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS), Chapter 573
§ 573.110Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, offense of — definitions — elements — exemptions — immunity from liability, when — penalty — private cause of action, when.In forcecited in 5 of our articles
1. As used in this section and section 573.112, the following terms mean: (1) "Computer", a device that accepts, processes, stores, retrieves, or outputs data and includes, but is not limited to, auxiliary storage and telecommunications devices connected to computers; (2) "Computer program", a series of coded instructions or statements in a form acceptable to a computer that causes the computer to process data and supply the results of the data processing; (3) "Data", a representation in any form of information, knowledge, facts, concepts, or instructions including, but not limited to, program documentation, that is prepared or has been prepared in a formalized manner and is stored or processed in or transmitted by a computer or in a system or network. Data is considered property and may be in any form including, but not limited to, printouts, magnetic or optical storage media, punch cards, data stored internally in the memory of the computer, or data stored externally that is accessible by the computer; (4) "Image", a photograph, film, videotape, digital recording, or other depiction or portrayal of an object, including a human body; (5) "Intimate parts", the fully…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Anthony Madison (Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 2026)“…and nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.110, though the state grand jury later retu…”
- Gray (District Court, W.D. Missouri 2025)“…it knows how to say so in the statute itself. See, e.g., Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.110.7 (“In addition to the criminal penalti…”
- Soule v. Langley Recycling, Inc. (District Court, W.D. Missouri 2020)“…sexual images of her without her consent, in violation of Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.110. Now before the Cou…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Missouri Video Recording Laws: Public Spaces, Private Property, and Consent Rules, Missouri Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026), Missouri Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
§ 573.112Threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, offense of — elements — penalty.In forcecited in 4 of our articles
1. A person commits the offense of threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images if he or she gains or attempts to gain anything of value, or coerces or attempts to coerce another person to act or refrain from acting, by threatening to disseminate an image of another person, which was obtained under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand that the image was to remain private, against the will of such person: (1) Who is at least eighteen years of age; (2) Who is identifiable from the image itself or information displayed in connection with the image; and (3) Who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed, in whole or in part. 2. The offense of threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is a class E felony.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXXVIII (CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS), Chapter 589
§ 589.400Registration of certain offenders with registration official of county of residence — time limitation — registration requirements — fees — temporary residents — nonresident workers, higher education students and workers.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
1. Unless exempt from registering under section 589.401, sections 589.400 to 589.425 shall apply to: (1) Any person who, since July 1, 1979, has been or is hereafter adjudicated for an offense that would classify the person as a tier I offender, tier II offender, or tier III offender in this state; (2) Any person who, since July 1, 1979, has been committed to the department of mental health as a criminal sexual psychopath; (3) Any person who, since July 1, 1979, has been found not guilty as a result of mental disease or defect of any offense that would classify the person as a tier I offender, tier II offender, or tier III offender; (4) Any juvenile certified as an adult and transferred to a court of general jurisdiction who has been adjudicated for an offense that would classify the juvenile as a tier I offender, tier II offender, or tier III offender; (5) Any juvenile fourteen years of age or older at the time of the offense who has been adjudicated for an offense which is equal to or more severe than aggravated sexual abuse under 18 U.S.C.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Cited in 26 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- F.R. v. St. Charles County Sheriff's Department (Supreme Court of Missouri 2010, 301 S.W.3d 56)“…[2] Sections 566.141, 589.040.2, RSMo Supp. 1990. [3] Sections 589.400, RSMo Supp. 1998. [4] Sections 589.407, RS…”
- Ramsey v. State (Missouri Court of Appeals 2005, 182 S.W.3d 655)“…sistance of counsel because counsel failed to advise him of section 589.400 RSMo 2000, 3 the Missouri law r…”
- Petrovick v. State (Missouri Court of Appeals 2018, 537 S.W.3d 388)“…s a sex offender,” and that he “has been in compliance with Section 589.400 RSMo. since he became aware of his duty to r…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
United States Code Title 18
§ 1030Fraud and related activity in connection with computersIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
Whoever— having knowingly accessed a computer without authorization or exceeding authorized access, and by means of such conduct having obtained information that has been determined by the United States Government pursuant to an Executive order or statute to require protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national defense or foreign relations, or any restricted data, as defined in paragraph y. of section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, with reason to believe that such information so obtained could be used to the injury of the United States, or to the advantage of any foreign nation willfully communicates, delivers, transmits, or causes to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted, or attempts to communicate, deliver, transmit or cause to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted the same to any person not entitled to receive it, or willfully retains the same and fails to deliver it to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it; intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access, and thereby obtains— information contained in a financial record of a financial institution, or of a card issuer as…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 1,820 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Leon Modrowski v. John Pigatto (Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit 2013, 712 F.3d 1166)“…t (18 U.S.C. § 2511), and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030). His complaint also asserts a handful…”
- register.com, Inc. v. Verio, Inc. (Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 2004, 356 F.3d 393)“…rization, a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1030 ; and, (c) trespassing on Register’s ch…”
- United States v. Barrington (Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit 2011, 648 F.3d 1178)“…and 1349; fraud using a protected computer in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1030(a)(4) and (c)(3)(A) and 2; and three c…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wisconsin Data Privacy Laws: Breach Notification & Consumer Rights (2026)
§ 1801Video voyeurismIn forcecited in 79 of our articles
Whoever, in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, has the intent to capture an image of a private area of an individual without their consent, and knowingly does so under circumstances in which the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. In this section— the term “capture”, with respect to an image, means to videotape, photograph, film, record by any means, or broadcast; the term “broadcast” means to electronically transmit a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons; the term “a private area of the individual” means the naked or undergarment clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of that individual; the term “female breast” means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola; and the term “under circumstances in which that individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means— circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that he or she could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that an image of a private area of the individual was being captured; or circumstances in which a…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 53 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Courts have applied 18 U.S.C. 1801 mainly at its edges. United States v. Johnson (2010) read it as Congress's answer to secretly filming nudity on federal property, acquitting on a child exploitation charge instead. EPIC v. Department of Homeland Security (2011) applied the Section 1801(c) law enforcement exception to a TSA scanner claim.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Anthony Helton (Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 2019, 944 F.3d 198)“…from this list of federal offenses is video voyeurism under 18 U.S.C. § 1801. Rather than list this statute as an enu…”
- United States v. Johnson (District Court, W.D. Missouri 2010, 719 F. Supp. 2d 1059)✓A weightlifting coach hid a camera to film minors weighing in nude; acquitting him under the child exploitation statute, the court called that conduct plain video voyeurism under section 1801, but noted the section reaches only federal maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
- Electronic Privacy Information Center v. United States Department of Homeland Security (Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit 2011, 653 F.3d 1)✓Privacy groups challenged TSA body scanners under the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act; the D.C. Circuit held the statute's exception for lawful law enforcement, correctional, or intelligence activity applied to airport screening, so the section 1801 claim failed.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Alaska Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: AS 11.61.123 Explained (2026), Arizona Surreptitious Recording & Voyeurism Laws: ARS 13-3019 Penalties (2026), Arkansas Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Defenses (2026)
Search our full record of US law — 2.1 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 565.252 - Voyeurism(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 573.110 - Revenge Porn(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 573.112 - Threatening Dissemination(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 589.400 - Sex Offender Registration(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 455.010 - Adult Abuse Act(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 542.402 - Wiretapping(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. Section 1801 - Video Voyeurism Prevention Act(law.cornell.edu)
- 18 U.S.C. Section 1030 - Computer Fraud and Abuse Act(law.cornell.edu)