MS HB153

Creates a District Public Defender Fund in the State Treasury with up to $4,500,000 available to establish up to five public defender pilot offices in the Second, Fourth, Seventh, Eleventh, and Nineteenth Circuit Court Districts, with $200,000 authorized for program administration by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Establishes district public defender offices requiring county board approval and senior circuit judge agreement, with the district public defender appointed by the senior circuit judge for four-year terms matching district attorney terms, requiring at least five years of criminal law practice experience.

Authorizes staffing positions including assistant district public defenders (equal to legal assistant district attorney positions), one juvenile defender, investigators (equal to district attorney investigators), and social service caseworkers to assist with client assessments and community referrals.

Sets compensation for district public defenders equal to district attorney salaries, assistant public defenders to legal assistant pay schedules, and investigators/caseworkers to corresponding district attorney positions; requires 12 hours annual continuing legal education for attorneys.

Requires counties to provide office space, furniture, equipment, and support staff; mandates quarterly reporting to the Administrative Office of the Courts on staffing, caseload, and expenditures; amends Section 99-15-15 to allow appointment of separate counsel when conflicts of interest exist with the public defender's office.