MS HB1302

Creates Office of State Public Defender as umbrella agency consolidating Capital Defense Counsel, Indigent Appeals, and Public Defender Training divisions under single State Defender appointed by Governor for four-year term.

State Defender must be licensed Mississippi attorney with minimum five years criminal law practice experience and meet Supreme Court qualifications for death penalty lead counsel; salary capped at 90% of Attorney General's salary but no less than district attorney salary.

State Defender gains authority to transfer funds between Capital Defense Counsel Fund, Indigent Appeals Fund, and Public Defenders Education Fund, and to hire/remove directors of each division.

Repeals Section 99-18-19 eliminating circuit court authority to appoint local counsel for death-eligible cases at Capital Defense Counsel expense; representation now handled exclusively through state office structure.

Effective July 1, 2011, with existing division directors allowed to continue until term expiration unless terminated for cause; future vacancies filled under new appointment procedures through State Defender.