State of Missouri, et al., Appellants/Cross- Missouri Cases

Five public defenders and three criminal defendants challenged the constitutionality of a Missouri statute, section 595.201, which requires defense attorneys to inform sexual assault victims of their rights before an interview. The circuit court found the statute violated defense attorneys' free speech rights and enjoined its enforcement as applied to them, but upheld the procedural validity of the underlying Senate Bill 569. The Missouri Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the statute unconstitutionally compelled speech by defense attorneys and was not narrowly tailored, and further found that SB 569 did not violate the state constitution's original purpose, clear title, or single subject requirements.