The Missouri State Public Defender is inviting bids for the contract position
of Bollinger County Special Public Defender.
Our office is seeking a Missouri-licensed criminal defense attorney in good standing to appear at all Bollinger County, Missouri criminal dockets, and to represent from case opening through final disposition all MSPD-eligible criminal defendants and juvenile offenders.
Job Number: 02-220502-01: Bollinger County Special Public Defender
Company Name: Missouri State Public Defender
The Missouri State Public Defender (MSPD) is seeking bids for a contract with a Missouri-licensed criminal defense attorney in good standing to appear at all Bollinger County, Missouri criminal dockets, and to represent from case opening through final disposition all MSPD-eligible criminal defendants and juvenile offenders.
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 Bollinger County. The contract period will be from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024.
The contract will cover all non-homicide and non-sex-offense cases, including a few juvenile assignments; 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 office of the Jackson Missouri Public Defender as well as with the Case Contracting department of MSPD. Contract fees are paid on a monthly basis, and MSPD eligibility is determined by MSPD.
Contracted counsel will be paid contract-related mileage at the state mileage rate (currently $0.49/mile), and MSPD will provide necessary litigation expenses, such as deposition fees and expert retention.
Counsel will have the opportunity to attend MSPD CLE training events held during the contract period. Additional fees are paid for cases tried by bench or jury trial.
Available at this link are MSPD’s Panel Attorney contract counsel rates and trial fees that are paid to regular MSPD Panel Attorneys, 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. Average caseload for Bollinger County in Fiscal Year 2021 was approximately eight cases per month with the following approximate distribution: 4% class A/B felonies; 44% C/D/E felonies; 52% misdemeanors and probation violations, and no juveniles (the remaining cases were sex offenses or homicides). Average caseload so far in Fiscal Year 2022 is seven cases per month with the following approximate distribution: 13% class A/B felonies (9 cases); 59% C/D/E felonies; 28% misdemeanors and probation violations; and no juveniles (the remaining cases were sex offenses or homicides).
Interested Parties/How to Apply:
Bids should be submitted by Friday, June 3, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. to Fallon Watson at
fallon.watson@mspd.mo.gov
Questions should be directed to Maggie Johnston 573-777-9977 ext 235;
maggie.johnston@mspd.mo.gov
The Missouri State Public Defender reserves the right to reject any and all bids.