( KTRS ) A judge has blocked the Missouri state public defender director from appointing Gov. Jay Nixon as a Public Defender.

Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce says only courts can appoint defenders.

Public Defender System Director Michael Barrett appointed Gov. Nixon to the case in protest of what he says is inadequate funding to hire enough public defenders for people who can’t afford to hire lawyers.

The Governer countered in a statement saying the public defender’s office has received an increase in funding and that the agency should work on increasing efficiency before asking for more money.