A text message program in the pilot stage is underway in mid-Missouri in hopes of reducing the number of failures to appear in court, arrest warrants and technical violations.
The State of Missouri Public Defenders Office has paired with a company called Uptrust to start the pilot program in five Missouri jurisdictions: Columbia, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Troy and Kennett.
Uptrust is a communication platform that focuses on social justice. The goal is citizens’ defense, said Michael Barrett, Missouri State Public Defender director.
To read more, visit our partners at the Columbia Missourian.