Missouri has some of the toughest harassment, stalking, and Abuse laws in the nation, and there’s a sound reason for it: these situations can rapidly morph into violence.

The following is Missouri Revised Statutes for Third Degree abuse of the elderly and disabled:

This is a Class A Misdemeanor.  Offenses involving violence are felonies.  Abuse of the elderly and disabled is common.  If you’re convicted of such an offense, finding a job anywhere could be difficult.

Here’s why I’m concerned: in 1991 at a stoplight in Glen Ellyn, Illinois I was attacked, resulting in a trip to the emergency room at Edwards Hospital in Naperville.  Because the Perp was wearing a ring when he hit me, I required a tetanus shot.

What’s the backstory?

I was living at an apartment complex in Wheaton, Illinois.  Across the hall was a Catholic priest.  He was friendly with the perp and the perp’s friends, who lived down the hall.

The perp and one of his friends started following me around.  So I don’t think the confrontation at the stoplight was an accident.

After the incident, the perp fled, but later turned himself in.  There were witnesses and he realized that someone could have his license plate number and the cops might show up on his doorstep anyway.

He received a sentence of a $100.00 fine plus court costs and one year’s supervision, and was ordered to pay restitution for my bloody shirt.  After a year of good behavior his record was expunged.  However, I had corresponded with the State’s Attorney regarding restitution, and those letters are not part of the perp’s plea bargain.  He received a light sentence, but he did have to hire a lawyer, and that must have set him back a couple of grand.  He was lucky I had insurance or he would have been liable for the hospital bill.

I’m against expunging criminal records.  People who commit violent acts should have to live with the consequences of their behavior.  Society’s attitude toward incidents like this has changed since 1991, and the Missouri laws are a reflection of that.