Section 544.665 - Failure to appear, penalty1. In addition to the forfeiture of any security which was given or pledged for a person's release, any person who, having been released upon a recognizance or bond pursuant to any other provisions of law while pending preliminary hearing, trial, sentencing, appeal, probation or parole revocation, or any other stage of a criminal matter against him or her, knowingly fails to appear before any court or judicial officer as required shall be guilty of the crime of failure to appear.2. Failure to appear is: (1) A class E felony if the criminal matter for which the person was released included a felony;(2) A class A misdemeanor if the criminal matter for which the person was released includes a misdemeanor or misdemeanors but no felony or felonies;(3) An infraction if the criminal matter for which the person was released includes only an infraction or infractions;(4) An infraction if the criminal matter for which the person was released includes only the violation of a municipal ordinance, provided that the sentence imposed shall not exceed the maximum fine which could be imposed for the municipal ordinance for which the accused was arrested.3. Nothing in sections 544.040 to 544.665 shall prevent the exercise by any court of its power to punish for contempt.Amended by 2014 Mo. Laws, SB 491,s A, eff. 1/1/2017.L. 1972 H.B. 1160, A.L. 1996 H.B. 1047, A.L. 2009H.B. 62