March 2006
Help for Public Defenders, Judges Moves One Step Closer to Reality
Increased funding for the Missouri State Public Defender System and for judicial salaries are two issues at the forefront of The Missouri Bar’s legislative agenda, and both issues have recently moved one step closer to reality in the Missouri General Assembly.
Just before legislators left Jefferson City for their annual spring break, the House of Representatives voted to perfect HB 1012, which contains – among other things – the budget for both the Office of the State Public Defender and the judiciary.
The Missouri State Public Defender System’s budget has remained stagnant for the past six years. During the same time period, the system’s caseload has increased by 12,419 cases.
Governor Blunt recommended an across-the-board salary increase of 4% for all state employees, excluding elected officials. A coalition that includes The Missouri Bar, public defenders, prosecutors and legislators has worked to obtain an additional $1 million in funding for the Public Defender System to increase the salaries of front-line public defenders as a means to retain and recruit the best possible attorneys. The additional funds were included in HB 1012, which will be next debated in the Missouri Senate. Representative Jim Lembke of St. Louis has been instrumental in ushering the increase through the House of Representatives.
Salaries for Missouri’s judges have suffered similarly, with no judicial pay raises since 2000. Judges not only determine the outcome of today’s conflicts, but their interpretations of the law can influence society for generations. Because their role is so crucial to the success of the justice system and society, The Missouri Bar believes that compensation for judges should be set at a level that attracts and retains the best lawyers. Individual clients and society benefit when “the best and the brightest” lawyers are attracted to serve on the bench.
The current version of the budget includes a 4% raise for all judges, similar to the increases proposed for all other state employees.
The bill next moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where it will be intensely debated by senators and closely followed by all interested parties.
During mid-March, Missouri Bar President Douglas A. Copeland of Clayton visited cities around the state and met with reporters about the funding crisis surrounding the Missouri State Public Defender System and the level of judicial salaries. Here, President Copeland (far right) visits with a contingent of media representatives from the Kirksville area.