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Bill

SB 1109

Repeals provisions relating to the caseload of public defenders

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Roberts

Missouri bill removes statutory caseload limits for public defenders, potentially increasing attorney workloads and affecting legal representation quality for indigent defendants.

Second Read and Referred S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1109

Legislative bill overview

SB 1109 removes statutory requirements that limit the number of cases public defenders can handle simultaneously. This repeal eliminates caseload caps that were established to ensure manageable workloads for public defense attorneys in Missouri.

Why is this important

Public defender caseload limits directly affect the quality of legal representation available to defendants who cannot afford private attorneys. Removing these caps could allow courts to assign more cases per attorney, potentially affecting case preparation quality, trial outcomes, and constitutional right-to-counsel protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Quality of representation concerns: Higher caseloads may reduce time attorneys spend on individual cases, potentially compromising defense strategy and investigation
  • Budget implications: Removing caseload caps might allow the state to reduce public defender hiring/funding while maintaining case volume, saving money but raising workload questions
  • Constitutional right-to-counsel issues: Courts may face challenges arguing that excessive caseloads violate defendants' Sixth Amendment rights to effective assistance of counsel
  • Practical impact disparity: Rural vs. urban public defenders may experience different pressures, creating unequal representation across the state

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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