CLAY COUNTY — The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office has filed 76 cases under Valentine’s Law since the statute took effect on Aug. 28, 2024, according to the office. The law is named in honor of Detective Antonio Valentine, who was killed during a high-speed pursuit in St. Louis County.

Valentine’s Law makes it a Class D felony to flee from law enforcement in a motor vehicle at a high rate of speed or in a manner that creates a substantial risk of death or serious injury.

The offense is elevated to a Class B felony if someone is injured, and a Class A felony if someone is killed as a result of the fleeing.

According to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, in the first 11 months of the law being in effect, the office has filed 76 cases. That averages to one new case approximately every four days. So far, five defendants have been sentenced under the law, receiving prison sentences ranging from 3 to 10 years. Of those five, four were involved in vehicle crashes during the pursuit, and one was stopped only after driving over tire deflation devices.

“It is unacceptable for someone to endanger our community and law enforcement officers in an attempt to escape a traffic stop,” said Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson. “Not only do they put innocent lives at risk — they only make their situation worse.”

Valentine’s Law includes a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison, without eligibility for probation or parole, upon conviction.

“Our goal is to hold offenders accountable and send an unmistakable message that dangerous criminal conduct carries serious consequences,” said Thompson. “I commend Missouri state officials for providing us with an additional tool to keep Clay County safe. Public safety requires all levels of government working together.”