State ex rel Missouri Public Defender Commission Oral Arguments Heard Before Missouri Supreme Court

On December 13, 2011, the Missouri Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of State ex rel Missouri Public Defender Commission. Essentially, at issue is whether or not the Missouri Public Defender Commission has the right to refuse to represent indigent clients who cannot afford to hire private counsel. The case originated in Christian County when Judge John Waters appointed a public defender to represent the defendant Jack Blackshear. However, the public defender had given notice that its offices would not accept new clients. Judge Waters overruled the notice and the public defender appealed. Also, the American Bar Association has filed an amicus curiae brief to request that the Court consider attorneys ethic rules and professional obligations prescribed by the Missouri Supreme Court rules and the ABA model rules. To hear the oral arguments or review the documents which have been filed in the case, visit here