SB 705 - Under current law, the director of the State Public Defender System must implement a plan to establish district offices that align with judicial circuit boundaries by December 31, 2018. This act extends the date of implementation to December 31, 2021. Current law allows the director of the Missouri State Public Defender System to delegate the legal representation of any person to any licensed attorney. This act specifies that the director can delegate the legal representation of people who are eligible for representation by the Public Defender System.
In addition, current law allows unexpended funds of up to $150,000 to remain in the Legal Defense and Defender Fund at the end of the fiscal year. This act removes the cap, so all unexpended money remains in the fund.
These provisions are identical to provisions of HCS/SS/SCS/SB 663 (2016), the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 735 (2016), and SCS/SB 91 (2015).
MEGHAN LUECKE