MO HJR16

Submits a constitutional amendment to Missouri voters at the general election on Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2014 or at a special election called by the governor.

Adds section 18(c) to article I of the Missouri Constitution to allow relevant evidence of prior criminal acts, whether charged or uncharged, to be admissible in prosecutions for sexual crimes involving victims under 18 years of age.

Permits such prior act evidence for the purpose of corroborating the victim's testimony or demonstrating the defendant's propensity to commit the charged crime.

Allows courts to exclude prior criminal act evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.

Official ballot language asks voters whether the Missouri Constitution should be amended to permit admissibility of relevant evidence of prior criminal acts in prosecutions for sexual crimes involving victims under 18.