I like the way this guy thinks

[ness]

Overworked public defender uses power to recruit any attorney in the state, and he picks Nixon

 

[fishinwrench]

That's cute.  

[tho1mas]

I wonder if he is above the law also?

[Flysmallie]

Just now, tho1mas said:

I wonder if he is above the law also?

Of course he is. ALL politicians are. 

[Chief Grey Bear]

How about using a little more Andy Griffith  justice and less writing tickets for everything to increase revenue? 

I'll bet half of the case load is BS charges anyway. 

[Flysmallie]

Meanwhile the scumbag that kidnapped, molested and murdered Hailey Owens in Springfield has his public defenders complaining that they haven't had enough time to prepare for his trial this fall.

 

[Chief Grey Bear]

Yeah they're just sucking the free tax payer money. 

[ness]

I don't know anything about Nixon, or have an opinion on him. I know he's a democrat, but I don't care a hoot that. But it just tickles me to see a politician have to squirm

 

[rps]

1 hour ago, Chief Grey Bear said:

Yeah they're just sucking the free tax payer money. 

I will call you out on this one. I don't normally react to your anarchy remarks, but in this case they are wrong and demeaning.

Public defenders are paid less than lawyers working in firms, they have  no budget to investigate, and a caseload greater than the district attorneys' offices. Some go there for courtroom experience - you get that real fast. Some go seeking to do the right thing. The ones who stay more than a couple of years are committed. 

When I practiced, I was a regular appointee by the federal judges. I was in a position where I could not gracefully say no. I was paid $20 an hour up to a total of $1000 dollars  for work where my normal rate was $100 to $200 an hour.

Trust me on this, you do not go into indigent defense for the money.

[ness]

Read another article on this that claimed MO paid a lot less than other states too. Sure sounds like a powder keg.