The Missouri State Public Defender is seeking bids from attorneys interested in providing all criminal defense representation to qualifying clients as Special Public Defenders in the following counties: Bollinger, Carter, Osage, Shannon and Texas.
One contract will be awarded per county.
Contract duration is one year with an option for renewal.
Attorneys must be licensed to practice in Missouri, be in good standing with the Missouri Bar, and have criminal law experience.
Job Number: 02-240501-01: Special Public Defender - County-wide Contract
Company Name: Missouri State Public Defender
Invitation for County Contract Bids
The Missouri State Public Defender (MSPD) is seeking bids from attorneys interested in providing all criminal defense representation to qualifying clients as Special Public Defenders in the following counties: Bollinger, Carter, Osage, Shannon and Texas. One contract will be awarded per county.
Except for Texas County, the county contracts require the contracted Special Public Defender (SPD) to appear at all criminal dockets and to represent assigned MSPD-eligible criminal defendants from case opening through final disposition.
In Texas County, the SPD works in conjunction with the MSPD trial division out of Rolla, MO, and shares the caseload for Texas County with that office.
Qualifications may include but are not limited to:
1) demonstrated successful experience and proficiency in all aspects of criminal law, including complex, serious, high-level felony cases;
2) familiarity with MSPD’s policies and procedures regarding criminal law representation and case contracting;
3) attorney’s past record of criminal law work at, with, or for MSPD, if any; and
4) attorney’s proximity to the county.
The contract period will be from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with an option for MSPD to renew the contract for three (3) additional one-year periods and to renegotiate contract pricing based on the prior year’s case assignments.
Contract fees are paid monthly.
Contracted counsel may submit contract-related mileage for reimbursement at the state mileage rate (currently $0.655/mile).
MSPD will provide reasonably necessary litigation expenses, such as funding for depositions, process service, and approved experts.
Counsel will have the opportunity to attend MSPD CLE training events held during the contract period. Additional trial fees are paid for cases tried by bench or jury trial.
The contract will cover all non-homicide and non-sex-offense adult cases; failure to register as a sex offender is not considered a sex offense. With the exception of an SIS disposition, cases are not finally disposed of until the defendant is acquitted or sentenced, or the charge is dismissed and not refiled by the state. The contract requires communication with the associated MSPD trial division office and the Case Contracting Division. Client eligibility for MSPD services is determined by MSPD.
Available at this link are MSPD’s regular Panel Attorney contract counsel rates and trial fees that are paid to regular MSPD Panel Attorneys on a case-by-case basis, which may provide a reference for bidding: https://publicdefender.mo.gov/private-counsel-opportunities/mspd-contracting/panel-rates/
A current Panel Attorney awarded this contract may continue to receive contract assignments from MSPD in other counties while fulfilling this contract. Estimated average caseloads for each county based on recent statistics are available at https://publicdefender.mo.gov/private-counsel-opportunities/
Details are available at the following link: https://publicdefender.mo.gov/private-counsel-opportunities/
Interested Parties/How to Apply:
Bids should be submitted by Friday, May 31, 2024, to Fallon Watson at
fallon.watson@mspd.mo.gov
Questions about county contracts should be directed to Maggie Johnston, MSPD Case Contracting Division Director, at
maggie.johnston@mspd.mo.gov; 573-777-9977 ext 235.
The Missouri State Public Defender reserves the right to reject any and all bids.