Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXXVIII. Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders § 600.019. Public defender system created--director, appointment, qualifications, compensation, removal from office, procedure

1. The “Office of State Public Defender” is hereby created and established as an independent department of the judicial branch of state government.

2. The commission shall appoint a director of the office of state public defender as head of the office. He shall qualify and be sworn into office by a judge of the supreme court. He shall be an attorney with substantial experience in the representation of persons accused of crime. He shall have experience in administration of personnel and shall be dedicated to the goals of providing quality legal representation for eligible persons and of improving the quality of defense services generally.

3. The director shall devote full time to the duties of his office and shall not otherwise engage in the practice of law. His term of office shall be four years and until the appointment and qualification of a successor. His term may be renewable at the discretion of the commission. He may be removed by the commission during his term in office for good cause shown after notice and hearing.

4. The salary of the director shall be set by the commission but shall not exceed that of a circuit judge.