Missouri: Law expanded to allow DNA samples from suspects

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Gov. Jay Nixon signs new crime laws

CARTHAGE, Mo. - While a new crime lab was a big focus of Gov. Jay Nixon’s signing ceremony south of Carthage on Thursday, the other laws he signed could have as much of an impact on crime fighting and every day life.

Nixon signed five bills into law in a ceremonial signing at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Satellite office south of Carthage.

These new laws, when they take affect in August, will affect DNA databases, change the way child witnesses are handled in court, prohibit young people texting while driving, increase the penalties for crimes such as the rape or sodomizing of a child and make a host of other changes.

“I’ll be here signing five different bills that on the surface you might think have little in common, but quite frankly, they have a lot in common,” Nixon said. “One deals with DNA, another with children who are witnesses in criminal cases, another increases the sentences for some vicious sex offenders, another helps streamline the investigatory process for the highway patrol, and the fifth deals with many different crime issues, different, yes, but not unrelated at all.”

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Nixon signs new crime laws - Carthage, MO - Carthage Press