Greg Memelstein named interim director of public defender system

The State Public Defender Commission has named Greg Memelstein interim director of Missouri’s public defender system.

Mermelstein replaces former director Michael Barrett, who resigned recently to take a new job in New York. Mermelstein will serve until a permanent replacement is selected.

“The Legislature wisely made the public defender an independent department of state government in order to protect the rights and liberty of people accused of crimes,” Mermelstein said in a news release. “Whether it’s fighting wrongful convictions or opposing illegal fees imposed on poor people, public defenders stop government overreach and uphold everyone’s constitutional rights. I’ll seek to ensure that work continues.”

Mermelstein has been with the public defender system since 1990. He most recently served as deputy director and general counsel.