Kansas Crimes: Laws & Penalties

Kansas Misdemeanor Crimes by Class and Sentences

Misdemeanors in Kansas are crimes that are punishable by up to one year in county jail. Misdemeanors in Kansas are designated as Class A, B, or C, or they may be unclassified.

Kansas Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences

In Kansas, felonies are crimes that are punishable by a state prison term of one year or more. Kansas uses a complicated grid system to determine felony sentencing.

Kansas Criminal Statute of Limitations

Kansas' criminal statutes of limitations set time limits for the government to commence a criminal case. Violent crimes generally have longer statutes of limitations, and some crimes (like murder and rape) have no statute of limitations.

Expunging or Sealing an Adult Criminal Record in Kansas

In Kansas, many arrest and conviction records can be expunged or sealed so that the general public will not be able to access them. But not all criminal records are eligible..

Driving on a Suspended License in Kansas

Like drivers across the United States, Kansans may lose their driver’s licenses for a variety of reasons. You may be charged with a crime if you drive while your license is suspended or revoked.

Kansas Minor in Possession (MIP) of Alcohol Laws

Kansas has minor in possession (MIP) and minor in consumption (MIC) laws to discourage and punish the possession and consumption of alcohol by people under the age of 21. Drinking and Possessing Alcohol In Kansas, if you are under age 21, you may not consume, possess, purchase, or attempt to purchase alcohol. Penalties for violating this law include:

Kansas Marijuana Laws

The possession and sale of any amount of marijuana is illegal in Kansas, and potential penalties vary by the amount possessed or sold.

Possession of a Controlled Substance in Kansas

All states regulate and control the possession of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), though each differs in its exact definition of CDS and the penalties for illegal possession. Kansas classifies not only well-known drugs like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine as CDS, but also the compounds used to manufacture them.

Kansas Petty Theft and Other Theft Laws

Like many states, Kansas classifies its theft offenses according to the dollar value of the property or services involved in the offense -- the greater the value of the property or services, the more severe the criminal charge and resulting punishment.

Weapons Charges in Kansas

Kansas allows most adults to carry guns openly or concealed. Learn about the state’s limited restrictions on possession, carrying, and use of firearms and other weapons.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment in Kansas

Kansas legislators have addressed bullying (and its electronic cousin, cyberbullying) in their general criminal statutes, and also through a state-mandated school antibullying policy.

Simple Assault & Battery in Kansas

Assault in Kansas is any intentional act or threat of action, coupled with the apparent ability to carry out the action, that reasonably causes a person to feel afraid of impending violence.

Kansas Aggravated Assault and Battery Laws

Assault in Kansas is any intentional act or threat of action that reasonably causes a person to feel afraid of impending bodily harm.

Kansas Domestic Violence Laws

Kansas law defines domestic violence as an act of violence or threat of violence against a family or household member or a person who is or was involved in a dating relationship with the offender.

Kansas Statutory Rape Laws

In Kansas, a person who participates in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 (the age of consent) can be convicted of statutory rape, sodomy, or indecent liberties with a child.

Kansas Sexual Battery and Rape Laws

In Kansas, it is illegal to commit rape or engage in any other sexual touching without the other person’s consent (sometimes called sexual battery).