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In most states it is illegal to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle on a public roadway or on the shoulder of a public roadway. These open container laws vary from state to state and a few states allow a passenger to possess and consume an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.

Open container offenses are usually charged as a misdemeanor or as an infraction, and penalties may include a fine, driver’s license suspension, and jail time.

Open container laws are located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code, the transportation code, or the motor vehicle code.

In Missouri, it is illegal to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle while it is on a public highway. This is outlined in Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 577.017. The law applies to both drivers and passengers, with the exception of passengers in the living quarters of a motor home or in vehicles that are primarily designed to transport people for compensation, such as buses and limousines. Violation of Missouri's open container law is considered a misdemeanor, and penalties may include fines. However, Missouri does not impose a driver's license suspension or jail time for an open container violation. It's important to note that local ordinances may also apply and can sometimes be more restrictive than state law.

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Criminal charges

open container

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Criminal charges

open container

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