Catherine Ann McMillian

I entered the situation with tempered expectations, understanding that public defenders are often overburdened and under-resourced. However, my experience with Ms. McMillian fell far below even those modest expectations. While she may possess a working knowledge of criminal defense, her actions—o...r lack thereof—in my sister’s case raise serious concerns about her commitment to actually advocating for her clients. Ms. McMillian represented my sister in a case that resulted in a negotiated plea agreement. Per the terms of that agreement, my sister was to plead guilty in exchange for credit for time already served—nearly five years—on a four-year sentence. This plea was made in good faith and under Ms. McMillian’s direct legal advice, despite the possibility that my sister could have successfully fought the charges in court. Her priority at the time was finality and resolution, especially given her circumstances at the time of the plea. The agreement was accepted by the court, and the judge formally handed down the sentence as outlined. However, upon her release, my sister was inexplicably taken into custody by the Missouri Department of Corrections and ordered to serve her full sentence—completely disregarding the signed plea agreement and the judge’s sentencing order. When approached for clarification and support, Ms. McMillian stated that she no longer represented my sister and offered no assistance, guidance, or accountability for the outcome of the legal strategy she had orchestrated. The implication was clear: her involvement ended the moment the plea was entered, regardless of the state’s failure to honor the agreement or uphold the judge’s ruling. This experience has been nothing short of devastating. A client who relied on legal counsel in good faith is now being forced to serve twice the sentence agreed upon—effectively being punished for trusting the attorney appointed to represent her. Taxpayers fund public defenders to ensure justice and due process, not to be misled, abandoned, and left to navigate a broken system alone. At best, this is gross negligence. At worst, it is a betrayal of the very role an attorney is sworn to uphold. In my opinion, it is not my sister who should be serving additional time—but those responsible for this miscarriage of justice.