A new study says Missouri’s public defenders are spending far less time on cases than they ought to be.

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A recent telephone scam led by scammers identifying themselves as public defenders hit very close to home for Missouri’s top public defender.

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The latest independent study of Missouri’s public defender system reaffirmed its overloaded status and declared Missouri’s indigent defense options are “headed for disaster.” The report, released Friday morning, also suggested defenders are using stricter standards for indigent defense as a ...

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When it comes to its promised $2 million in federal stimulus funds, the state's public defender office has a message for Gov. Jay Nixon: "Show me the money." As the clock ticks toward the endpoint for use of the stimulus funds - June 2011 - Nixon hasn't released any stimulus dollars to the state's beleaguered system. It's been five months since the Legislature approved the allocation. System Director J. Marty Robinson (pictured, center) struck a hopeful tone. "I would be very surprised if we do not get it," Robinson said.

Tagged with: Gov. Jay Nixon J. Marty Robinson Linda Luebbering public defender

I took the job. On Oct. 5, 2009, I will begin my job with the Missouri State Public Defender as an assistant public defender in the District 2 office in Kirksville. I will be about 191.41 miles from my current ...

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Attorney's filing also alleges misconduct by St. Louis County prosecutor's office

L. Steven Goldblatt has taken it into his own hands to address problems with Missouri's Public Defender System. In the process, he alleges that an assistant St. Louis County prosecuting attorney threatened that if his client didn't plead guilty he would lose his law license. Goldblatt (pictured), of the Goldblatt Law Firm, plans to file an emergency writ of petition for habeas corpus with the Missouri Supreme Court today.

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A Missouri appeals court upheld a man’s convictions for second-degree murder and armed criminal action, rejecting the defendant’s claims of a conflict in the Adair County prosecutor’s office. James McFarland had been represented by Kristen Coffman, an assistant public defender, ...

Tagged with: conflict of interest James McFarland Missouri Court of Appeals Western District public defender

Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed legislation giving public defenders greater control over their caseloads. Under the provisions of the bill, the director of the public defender system would have been able to notify the court in certain circumstances that the public defender is unavailable, leaving any person who is eligible for services on a waiting list. The measure was seen as the biggest legislation affecting the state agency that provides defense for indigent clients.

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Through last-minute parliamentary maneuvering, Sen. Jim Lembke (pictured), R-Lemay, became the unlikely sponsor of the first omnibus judiciary bill to pass the legislature in years. Lembke said he found the turn of events ironic. "My relationship with the judiciary has been tenuous at best," he admitted. Continue reading for a rundown of legal bills of note that passed in 2009, such as the caseload cap for public defenders, and those that failed, such as changes to the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan.

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The Missouri House sent legislation to the governor providing the Missouri Public Defender Commission with more ability to control its caseload. Sen. Jack Goodman’s bill would allow the state’s Public Defender Commission to implement a maximum caseload standard. Goodman, R-Mt. ...

Tagged with: Jack Goodman Missouri Public Defender Commission public defender Tim Jones Western District Court of Appeals

The state's public defender office is mulling over the most effective use for money aimed at paring down its caseload. Approximately $2 million for the Public Defender Commission was tucked into a wide-ranging bill featuring some projects funded with federal stimulus money. After a series of starts and stops through the legislative process, the bill passed both the Senate and the House on Thursday evening, a little less than a day before a mandatory budget deadline. Pictured is House Budget Chairman Allen Icet, R-Wildwood.

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