Missouri Revised Statutes Title XL. Additional Executive Departments § 632.415. Court to maintain register of attorneys available to represent patients--state to pay certain attorney’s fees

1. The judge having probate jurisdiction in each county where a mental health program is located shall prepare and maintain a current register of attorneys who have agreed to be appointed to represent respondents against whom involuntary civil detention proceedings have been instituted in such county. The judge may choose lawyers who are paid by any public or private agency or other lawyers who are appointed to the register. The register shall be provided to the mental health coordinator for the area which includes the county for which the list was prepared. A new register shall be provided to the mental health coordinator each time a new attorney is added.

2. If the judge finds that the respondent is unable to pay attorney's fees for the services rendered in the proceedings, the judge shall allow a reasonable attorney's fee for the services, which fee shall be assessed as costs and paid together with all other costs in the proceeding by the state, in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the state court administrator, from funds appropriated to the office of administration for such purposes provided that no attorney's fees shall be allowed for services rendered by any attorney who is a salaried employee of a public agency or a private agency which receives public funds.