WeVote

Bill

Bill

SB 1227

SB 1227 - This act enacts provisions relating to criminal proceedings. DWI DIVERSION PROGRAM (Section 557.520) This act creates a DWI diversion program which allows a prosecuting or circuit attorney to divert the case to a DWI diversion program if the defendant meets criteria, as described in the act. The court may continue the diverted case for a period of up to two years and order the defendant to comply with terms and conditions of the program as determined by the prosecuting or circuit attorney. Any defendant who has a case continued pursuant to this act shall also have any proceeding relating to the suspension of his or her license continued by the Department of Revenue. As part of the program requirements, the prosecuting or circuit attorney may require installation of an ignition interlock device for a period of not less than one year and require the defendant to participate in a victim impact panel. Any person required to install an ignition interlock device shall be subject to penalties as provided under current law. The court may require the defendant to pay all or part of the costs, unless the court finds the defendant indigent. After the completion of the DWI diversion program and if the defendant has complied with all the imposed terms and conditions, the court shall dismiss the criminal case against the defendant, record the dismissal, and transmit the record to the central repository. The Department of Revenue shall also dismiss any proceeding to suspend the defendant's license. If the defendant does not comply with the terms of the program, the prosecuting or circuit attorney may file a motion to terminate the defendant from the diversion program and set the case on the next available criminal docket. These provisions are identical to SCS/SB 1200 (2024), and to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 87 (2025), SB 143 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1659 (2024), and SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024), and substantially similar to SS/SCS/SB 74 (2023). MISSOURI SURVIVORS' ACT (Sections 557.600 to 557.606) This act establishes the "Missouri Survivors' Act". The act provides that a defendant may present evidence at a sentencing hearing or a parole hearing that he or she is a domestic abuse survivor, as described in the act, and that the defendant was subjected to certain abuse by the victim of the crime for which the defendant is being sentenced, or that the defendant suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of such abuse by the victim. These provisions are similar to HB 989 (2025). This act is identical to SCS/SBs 353 & 434 (2025). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Barbara Washington

SB 1227 modifies Missouri criminal procedure rules; specific provisions unknown pending bill text release from prefiled status.

Second Read and Referred S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1227

Legislative bill overview

SB 1227 is a Missouri criminal procedure bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Washington that was prefiled on December 1, 2025. Without access to the bill's specific text, the exact provisions cannot be detailed, but the title indicates it addresses reforms or modifications to how criminal proceedings are conducted in Missouri courts.

Why is this important

Criminal procedure bills directly affect defendants' rights, prosecution processes, court efficiency, and public safety outcomes. Changes to these procedures can have significant consequences for individuals involved in the criminal justice system and broader implications for Missouri's court system operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of reforms unclear - Without seeing the bill text, key details about what specific procedures are being changed remain unknown, making it difficult to assess stakeholder positions
  • Balance between defendant protections and prosecution efficiency - Criminal procedure reforms often pit due process rights against expedited case processing and resource management
  • Implementation costs - New procedures may require additional funding for courts, public defenders, and prosecutors, which could face budget constraints

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.