MS SB3001

Creates the Office of State Public Defender with a State Defender appointed by the Governor with Senate approval for a four-year term; State Defender must be a licensed attorney with at least five years of criminal law experience and meet death penalty case qualifications.

Consolidates the Office of Capital Defense Counsel and Office of Indigent Appeals into divisions within the Office of State Public Defender, transferring all financial and administrative powers to the State Defender.

Establishes the Division of Public Defender Training within the Office of Indigent Appeals to provide continuing legal education, technical assistance, and case updates to public defenders in state, county, and municipal courts.

State Defender salary shall be no less than a district attorney's salary and no greater than 90% of the Attorney General's salary; may be removed by the Governor for disqualification, failure to perform duties, or acting beyond authority.

Effective July 1, 2010; maintains separate funding sources through the Capital Defense Counsel Fund, Indigent Appeals Fund, and Public Defenders Education Fund with authority for the State Defender to transfer funds between them.