By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – Auditor Susan Montee plans to review Missouri's Public Defender Commission.
Public defenders represent criminal defendants who face prison and cannot afford attorneys, and officials have long said the system is in crisis because of high caseloads. Public defenders represent criminal defendants who face prison and cannot afford attorneys, and officials have long said the system is in crisis because of high caseloads.
Last month two offices temporarily stopped accepting new cases; and many others report rising workloads.
Many prosecutors contend the problem is overstated. One says the public defenders are just trying to get more state money.
Montee says her office will review the caseload issue so state lawmakers have better information when they go back to work in January.