Public Defenders In Missouri — Underfunded, Overworked?

By Steve Kraske,

Published August 10, 2016 at 4:06 PM CDT

The head of Missouri's public defender system appointed Gov. Jay Nixon to handle a case in protest of withheld funding. So, just how dire is the situation for Missouri's public defenders?

Guests:

Michael Barrett is the director of Missouri's Public Defender System.
Ruth Petsch heads the Jackson County Public Defender's office.
Sean O’Brien is a UMKC law professor and has been director of various criminal defense clinics at the UMKC School of Law since 1983. He served as the chief public defender in Kansas City from 1985 through 1989.

Tags

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

See stories by Steve Kraske

Lisa Rodriguez

Kansas City needs journalists who show up not just on people’s worst days, but on their best ones — and the boring ones in between. As KCUR’s news director, I build relationships across the metro, so our newsroom can bring you critical information when times are tough, and seek out moments of joy to celebrate. Email me at lisa@kcur.org.

See stories by Lisa Rodriguez