Anyone found guilty of misappropriation of funds of the elderly or disabled is guilty of what type of felony?

Misappropriation of funds belonging to the elderly or disabled is considered a serious offense due to the vulnerability of the victims involved. In Missouri, this crime is classified as a Class D felony. This classification reflects the state's emphasis on protecting its vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and disabled, from financial exploitation.

A Class D felony in Missouri is punishable by a range of penalties including significant fines and imprisonment for up to 7 years. This classification makes it clear that while the crime is serious, it is viewed as less severe than higher classes of felonies, such as Class A or Class C. Therefore, the classification of misappropriation of funds as a Class D felony underscores the state's commitment to both deterrence and punishment for offenses against the elderly and disabled, while also acknowledging the need for rehabilitation in less severe cases.

In contrast, higher class felonies involve more severe crimes, but misappropriation of funds from vulnerable individuals does not meet the threshold for those designations in Missouri law. This indicates the distinction made within the legal system concerning the severity and implications of financial crimes against such populations.