JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Supreme Court is once again focusing on the caseloads of public defenders.

The court was scheduled to consider an appeal Tuesday concerning state public defender polices intended to prevent lawyers from becoming overworked.

Local defender offices determine maximum caseloads, and officials can take action when that maximum has been exceeded three consecutive months.

If agreements are not reached with local prosecutors and judges, public defenders can temporarily refuse new cases.

Public defenders contend lawyers are overworked and that excessive caseloads compromise their ability to represent clients.

Concern over Missouri’s public defender system is not new. State lawmakers have examined it, and the state high court ruled in 2009 that public defenders cannot turn away certain categories of criminal defendants because of high caseloads.