Committee to Study MO Public Defenders

An interim committee of the Missouri Senate will study the Missouri Public Defender System and make recommendations to the full Senate. Last year, the Missouri Bar Association funded a study finding that the public defender system in Missouri was in crisis. The report said that Missouri ranked 47th in indigent defense spending and stagnant salaries had caused a 100% attrition rate over five years. The committee is tasked with how to reduce caseloads, reviewing the eligibility requirements, reviewing personnel issues and compensation, and evaluating the organizational structure. The committee will study the Missouri system over the legislative break.