The Missouri Public Defender (MSPD) is a state agency responsible for providing legal representation to indigent citizens accused of or convicted of crimes in Missouri. MSPD is comprised of three legal service divisions: the Trial Division, Capital Division, and Appellate/Post-Conviction Division. Attorneys in district offices within each division provide direct representation to clients. MSPD has 585 employees and approximately 376 of them are attorneys. They are assisted by support staff, paralegals, and investigators. Together, the lawyers and staff provide high quality, zealous criminal representation in over 80,000 cases each year in district offices located throughout Missouri.