Is Speeding a Misdemeanor? Why You Shouldn’t Ignore the Consequences

Speeding is often brushed off as a minor mistake—something that earns you a ticket, maybe some points on your license, and a bump in your insurance rates. But in Missouri, that assumption could cost you more than you realize. While not every speeding ticket rises to the level of a criminal offense, many do. And if you’re facing allegations tied to excessive speed, it’s worth asking a serious question: Is speeding a misdemeanor?

The answer? Sometimes yes—and the moment it becomes a misdemeanor, everything changes. You’re no longer dealing with a civil infraction; you’re facing a criminal charge that could follow you for years. Whether you’re being charged with excessive speeding, reckless driving related to speed, or speeding in connection with an accident, the consequences can go far beyond what most people expect.

Speeding Offenses: More Than Just a Ticket

In Missouri, speeding is handled on a sliding scale. Minor speeding violations—usually five miles per hour or less over the limit—are typically treated as infractions. These may not carry criminal penalties, but they still add points to your license and can impact your driving record and insurance.

However, when the speed exceeds certain thresholds or occurs under specific conditions, the offense escalates:

Driving 20 miles per hour or more above the posted limit often triggers misdemeanor charges.
Speeding in a construction zone, school zone, or residential area can also result in enhanced penalties.
Speeding that causes or contributes to an accident may be charged more aggressively—even as a Class A misdemeanor in some situations.

In other words, context matters. Your speed, your location, and your driving history all factor into how prosecutors choose to proceed. And once your case crosses into misdemeanor territory, you’re no longer dealing with a routine traffic ticket—you’re in the realm of criminal defense.

Misdemeanor Classifications in Missouri

Missouri law classifies misdemeanors based on the severity of the offense:

Class C misdemeanor: This may apply to mid-range speeding offenses and carries penalties including fines and possible jail time up to 15 days.
Class B misdemeanor: Often associated with high-speed violations or repeat offenses, this charge could result in up to six months in jail and significant fines.
Class A misdemeanor: The most serious misdemeanor classification, typically reserved for cases involving harm or danger to others (such as causing an accident while speeding), which may lead to up to a year in jail.

It’s important to note that prosecutors have discretion. They may increase or decrease the level of charge depending on the facts of the case, your driving record, and whether there are aggravating or mitigating factors. A skilled defense lawyer can play a pivotal role in influencing that decision.

When Speeding Turns Criminal

The line between a traffic offense and a criminal charge is thinner than most people think. Here are several situations where speeding can trigger criminal liability:

1. Excessive Speed

Missouri law doesn’t just penalize drivers for exceeding the limit by small margins. Driving 20, 25, or 30 miles per hour over the posted limit is often viewed as reckless and can be charged as a misdemeanor. This is especially true if it’s not your first offense.

2. Speeding in Sensitive Areas

Construction zones, school zones, and residential areas are all considered high-risk locations. Speeding in these areas—even if it’s not by a wide margin—can elevate the charge, especially if workers, children, or pedestrians are nearby.

3. Speeding in Combination With Other Offenses

Speeding doesn’t always occur in isolation. If you’re also accused of improper lane changes, aggressive driving, or endangering other drivers, the state may decide to pursue additional charges—or elevate speeding to a more serious classification. What starts as a speeding violation could become a reckless driving case or worse.

4. Causing an Accident

Speeding that leads to an accident—especially one involving injuries—changes everything. Prosecutors may charge the driver not just with speeding, but with assault or even involuntary manslaughter, depending on the outcome. At that point, you’re no longer defending against a ticket; you’re defending your freedom.

Collateral Consequences of a Misdemeanor Conviction

Let’s say you’re convicted of misdemeanor speeding. What then?

It’s not just a matter of paying a fine and moving on. A criminal conviction—even for a misdemeanor—can follow you for years:

Permanent Criminal Record: A conviction becomes part of your criminal history, visible in background checks for jobs, housing, or loans.
Driver’s License Points and Suspensions: Speeding convictions typically add points to your license, which can trigger suspensions if accumulated over time.
Insurance Consequences: Insurers view misdemeanor speeding as high-risk behavior, and your premiums may rise dramatically.
Employment Impacts: Jobs that require a clean driving record, such as delivery, trucking, or rideshare driving, may no longer be available to you.
Reputation Damage: For many people, even a misdemeanor record can lead to damaged professional relationships or reduced standing in the community.

These long-term consequences are precisely why you shouldn’t treat misdemeanor speeding as a minor issue.

What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do

If you’re facing misdemeanor charges related to speeding, you need to approach the situation like any other criminal case. That means working with an experienced defense attorney who can:

1. Analyze the Evidence

A lawyer will examine radar readings, officer statements, dash cam footage, and any other evidence used to justify the charge. Speed-measuring devices can malfunction. Officers can make errors in judgment. Your attorney’s job is to identify where the state’s case is vulnerable.

2. Challenge the Charge

Depending on the circumstances, your attorney may be able to negotiate a reduction to a non-criminal infraction or even get the charge dismissed. If you’re eligible for diversion or traffic school, they can pursue those options to help protect your record.

3. Represent You in Court

If your case proceeds to court, you need someone who can advocate effectively on your behalf—arguing for reduced penalties, alternate resolutions, or full acquittal if appropriate.

Why Rose Legal Services Is the Right Choice

Not every law firm understands how to handle misdemeanor speeding cases properly. Rose Legal Services is a criminal defense firm that focuses exclusively on representing clients charged with crimes in Missouri—including traffic-related offenses that carry serious consequences.

What sets them apart is their ability to see the full picture. They understand how a misdemeanor charge—even one that seems routine—can impact a person’s life. They advocate not just to resolve the case, but to protect your reputation, your license, and your long-term future.

Final Thoughts

So, is speeding a misdemeanor in Missouri? It absolutely can be—and treating it like “just a ticket” could be a costly mistake. Speeding charges that cross the line into misdemeanor territory deserve a real legal defense. If you’re facing one, don’t wait for the consequences to catch up with you. Get informed. Get represented. And protect what matters most.