MS HB544

Director of the Office of Capital Defense Counsel must be an attorney qualified to serve as lead counsel in death penalty cases and may hire necessary personnel; director appointed by Governor with Senate advice and consent for four-year terms.

Director of the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel must be an attorney meeting qualifications to serve as post-conviction counsel for death-sentenced persons and may hire necessary personnel; director appointed by Chief Justice with majority approval of justices for four-year terms.

Director of the Office of Indigent Appeals must be an attorney in good standing with The Mississippi Bar and may hire necessary personnel; director appointed by Governor for four-year terms.

All attorneys in these three offices must be active members of The Mississippi Bar or secure admission within twelve months of employment if admitted to another state's bar.

Effective date is July 1, 2010.