Missouri Supreme Court declines defenders' case
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 | 10:01 a.m. CDT;
updated 10:37 a.m. CDT, Wednesday, September 1, 2010
BY
The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD — The issue of whether Missouri's public defender system can decline to take new cases when caseloads get too high will have to go to an appeals court before it can be heard by the Missouri Supreme Court, the state high court said Monday.
MoreStory
Related Articles
The Missouri Public Defender Commission had appealed a judge's decision that required the Springfield office to represent a man even though the office said it wouldn't take new clients. The appeal went directly to the Supreme Court in an effort to expedite a decision.
The Springfield News-Leader reports that the Supreme Court cited a rule requiring that all cases, with a few exceptions, go through an appellate court.
In its Supreme Court filing, the commission argued that the criminal justice system could be in danger if courts continue to assign cases to public defenders beyond caseload limits.
Report corrections or additions here. Leave comments below here.
Leave a comment
Speak up and join the conversation! Make sure to follow the guidelines
outlined below and register with our site.
You must be logged in to comment. (Our
full comment policy is here.)
- Don't use obscene, profane or vulgar language.
- Don't use language that makes personal attacks on fellow commenters or
discriminates based on race, religion, gender or ethnicity.
- Use your real first and last name when registering on the website. It will
be published with every comment.
(Read why we ask for that here.)
- Don’t solicit or promote businesses.
We are not able to monitor every comment that comes through. If you see
something objectionable, please click the "Report comment" link.
You must be logged in to comment.
E-mail
Print
Show Me the Errors 
Comments