Public Defender Fees for Services

PURPOSE: This rule establishes a schedule of charges to be assessed against individuals who are eligible for public defender services and who receive such services in accordance with Chapter 600 and section 600.090.1(2), RSMo, 2000. (1) Application. (A) The state public defender is statutorily obligated to represent individuals accused of certain crimes and who are without means to secure private defense counsel. Once an individual is determined eligible for services by the public defender or the court, the public defender shall immediately commence representation. Every individual receiving public defender services is required to reimburse the public defender commission for the costs of the representation in such amounts as the individual can reasonably pay, either in a single payment or by installments in accordance with the schedule of chargers hereby established by this rule. (2) Schedule of Charges. (A) The commission hereby establishes the following schedule of charges to be assessed as fees owed the state public defender for services rendered: BASE SCHEDULE OF CHARGES 1. Entry with early withdrawal . $25.00 2. Misdemeanors and Probation Violation Cases . . . . . . . . $125.00 3. Felonies, Appeals, and Post Conviction Remedies . . . . . $375.00 4. Felony Sex Cases . . . . . . . $500.00 5. Murder Non Capital and Civil Commitment Cases . . . $750.00 6. Capital Murder Cases . . . . . $1,500.00 (B) The fees assessed by the schedule of charges constitute the entire costs assessed against an individual receiving public defender services in an individual case. If an individual has more than one (1) case, a fee will be charged in each case according to the schedule of charges. (C) When an individual is criminally charged with separate counts within the same indictment or information, the most serious count charged will determine the charge assessed as fees for the case. (D) For good cause shown, the Office of the Public Defender may waive or reduce the amount assessed as a charge for services. (3) No Fee Cases. (A) No fees shall be assessed for state-provided defender services in cases in which the individual receiving services is under eighteen (18) years of age at the time the services commence and/or is legally unable to contract for services. AUTHORITY: sections 600.017(10), 600.086, and 600.090, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed Sept. 11, 2015, effective March 30, 2016. *Original authority: 600.017, RSMo 1982; 600.086, RSMo 1976, amended 1982, 1993; and 600.090, RSMo 1976, amended 1982, 1986.