AN INTROUCTORY SECTION PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF THE ENTIRE PUBLIC DEFENDER PROGRAM BY PRESENTING FOR EACH CIRCUIT COURT 1) A 5-YEAR SUMMARY OF PUBLIC DEFENDER AND APPOINTED COUNSEL CASELOADS AND COSTS PER CASE, AND 2) A 2-YEAR SUMMARY OF PUBLIC DEFENDER AND APPOINTED COUNSEL CASELOADS. AN ADDITIONAL TABLE PROVIDES PUBLIC DEFENDER AND APPOINTED COUNSEL CASELOADS AND COSTS PER CASE IN 1978-79 FOR EACH CIRCUIT. THE NEXT SECTION PROFILES THE STATE'S PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND SUMMARIZES IN TABULAR FORM THE EXPENDITURES AND CASELOAD CONDITIONS IN ALL OF THE STATE'S PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES. HOWEVER, ONLY A PARTIAL PICTURE OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED BECAUSE EACH PUBLIC DEFENDER OPERATES A DISTINCT CRIMINAL JUSTICE ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE AND HUMAN VARIABILITIES. THE CONCLUDING SECTION PRESENTS DATA TABLES ON 1978-79 APPOINTED COUNSEL PROGRAM CASELOAD COSTS. APPOINTED COUNSELS ARE USED IN THE 25 JUDICIAL CIRCUITS IN MISSOURI THAT HAVE NO PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND IN INSTANCES WHERE USE OF A DEFENDER WOULD RESULT IN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR INEFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION. APPENDIXES PRESENT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER ROSTER, SUMMARY DATA FOR INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER CASE REPORT FORM, AND THE APPOINTED COUNSEL REQUEST-FOR-PAYMENT FORM.