Bill > SB1388

This bill provides for the conversion of the county prosecuting attorney system to a circuit court district attorney system in Missouri. Starting in 2028, judicial circuits will elect district attorneys who will replace the current county prosecuting attorneys in counties that choose to join the new system. District attorneys will be licensed attorneys who have been residents of their judicial circuit for at least 12 months and will serve four-year terms. The state will gradually reimburse counties for district attorney office expenses, increasing the reimbursement percentage each year until reaching 50% by the tenth year. Counties can join the district attorney system by majority vote of their county commission, with resolutions to be submitted by November 7, 2027. The bill also includes provisions for transitioning existing prosecuting attorneys, such as allowing those who do not become district attorneys to receive reduced retirement benefits. District attorneys will have broader jurisdictional responsibilities, prosecuting criminal cases across multiple counties within their judicial circuit, and will be paid a salary equivalent to circuit judges, with potential additional compensation from counties with a charter form of government. The bill aims to create a more regionalized and potentially more efficient prosecution system by consolidating county-level prosecutorial offices into circuit-wide district attorney offices.

Justice

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=553