MSPD Is Taking Major Steps Forward with Our FY2027 Budget

ByJet McDonald

MSPD graphic reading "We Are Closing the Public Defender Pay Gap! The starting salary for MSPD attorneys is now $75,000" with an image of a hand illustrating a figure with a briefcase stepping across a series of four lines

An update from Matthew Crowell, the Director of Missouri State Public Defender:

The FY2027 state budget, signed by Governor Kehoe on June 30, delivers several major investments that will strengthen public defense in Missouri and improve outcomes for the clients we serve. 

This year’s budget provides $5 million for salary adjustments moving towards pay parity. This increase allows MSPD to offer a new starting attorney salary of $75,000, up from $61,920. This is a historic step forward for recruitment and retention and brings public defender compensation closer to similar public-sector legal employers in Missouri. Competitive pay is essential to maintaining a strong, skilled workforce, particularly in rural areas and high–volume offices where our staffing needs are greatest.   

The budget also includes $3 million to modernize MSPD’s case management system, a critical upgrade that will improve defender efficiency, streamline communication, strengthen data management, and support real–time workload monitoring. This investment directly aligns with MSPD’s strategic plan and will help ensure our staff have the tools necessary to provide high quality, zealous representation. 

Finally, the FY2027 budget expands our Holistic Defense Services (HDS) program by adding 20 new Mitigation Specialist positions statewide. These professionals play a vital role in providing mitigation advocacy and connecting clients to services that address the underlying challenges impacting them and their cases, including mental health and substance use treatment and support with housing and transportation. With these new positions, MSPD is one step closer to achieving its goal of providing comprehensive, person centered supports to every client. 

These investments represent a major step forward for MSPD. They strengthen our workforce, modernize our infrastructure, and expand the services that help clients succeed both inside and outside the courtroom. We are grateful for the support of state leadership and remain committed to delivering uncompromised advocacy to every client we serve.