Apply for a Public Defender
Not everyone is entitled to a public defender.Â
First, you must be facing possible jail or prison time. Under Missouri law, those crimes are the following:
Misdemeanor A (up to one year in jail) and Misdemeanor B (up to six months in jail)
All Felonies (A, B, C, D, & E) - prison time
Second, you must be "indigent" (another word for poor). According to Missouri law and regulations: "A defendant may be considered indigent if his/her gross pay and other sources of income do not exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the federal poverty guideline as issued in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. " A good number of things go into this calculation, but for general reference, in 2023, these were the $$$:
Family size- $ Annual Income (monthly)
1-$21,879 ($1823)
2-$29580 ($2465)
3-$47290 ($2108)
4-$45000 ($3750)
5-$52710 ($4393)
6-$60420 ($5035)
7-$68130 ($5678)
8-$75840 ($6320)
If close or if in doubt, you should apply. Although the first determination is made by MSPD, judges can still order a public defender be appointed.
Click this button to apply (do not leave any info out (if you have a email, list it)!