MS HB591

Full-time public defenders and assistant public defenders serving one county shall receive compensation equal to the county prosecuting attorney.

Full-time public defenders and assistant public defenders serving two or more counties (but less than an entire circuit court district) shall receive aggregate compensation equal to the combined county prosecutor salaries of all served counties, capped at the district attorney compensation level.

Part-time public defenders and assistant public defenders shall receive compensation proportional to the county prosecutor salary based on the percentage of time spent serving as a public defender.

Part-time public defenders and assistant public defenders serving multiple counties shall have compensation proportional to aggregate county prosecutor salaries of all served counties, capped at district attorney compensation.

The act takes effect July 1, 2010.