Missouri Office of Prosecution Services (MOPS)

The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services is designated by statute as an autonomous entity within the Missouri Attorney General's Office to assist prosecuting attorneys in their efforts against criminal activity within the state.

The office was created by statute in 1981 and is governed by the Missouri Prosecutors Coordinators Training Council as set forth in Section 56.760, RSMo. The office provides resources, programs and services for Missouri's prosecuting attorneys. Generally, these responsibilities include providing legal research assistance to prosecutors; disseminating newsletters; preparing and distributing model complaints, information, indictments, instructions, search warrants and other appropriate documents; preparing and distributing a prosecutor's casebook, and other educational materials; managing a witness protection program; acting as a liaison to government agencies; and providing other necessary assistance.

The Office of Prosecution Services provides numerous training conferences for prosecutors and serves as the principal provider of continuing legal education for prosecuting attorneys. The office provides specialized training conferences in traffic safety, family violence, webinars and trial advocacy.

The Office of Prosecution Services also provides support and training in the area of Criminal History Reporting, both through manual efforts as well as automated case management systems.

Pursusant to Section 632.483, RSMo, the council appoints a prosecutors' review committee to review referrals of sexually violent predators for further legal action.

In investigations into violations of Missouri ethics laws under Section 105.961, the council submits a recommendation panel of five attorneys to serve as special prosecutor for the court to select.

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