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About MSPD - Agency Profile
The Missouri Public Defender System (MSPD) is the organization responsible for providing legal representation to all indigent citizens accused of or convicted of crimes in Missouri. Working with MSPD allows individuals to make a difference in their community, gain valuable work experience, and provide assistance to those in need.
MSPD is a statewide agency primarily comprised of three legal service divisions: the Trial Division, Capital Division, and Appellate/Post-Conviction Division. Attorneys in district offices within each division provide direct representation to our clients.
MSPD employs about 560 people; approximately 350 of them are attorneys. They are assisted by support staff, paralegals, and investigators. Together, the lawyers and staff provide high quality, zealous criminal representation in almost 90,000 cases each year in district offices located throughout Missouri.
MSPD employees have opportunities to live and work in varied settings, from urban areas with diverse cultural opportunities and reasonable living costs, such as Kansas City and St. Louis, to the tranquility of a rural environment with limitless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Training is a top priority for the Public Defender System, including a number of in-house cutting edge trial skills courses each year. Information technology capabilities allow efficient and effective communication. The resources and expertise of the whole system are available to each office, whether it is an office with two attorneys or twenty attorneys.