Indigent Defense Plans for Mississippi's 23 Circuit Court Districts

The Greenwood Commonwealth reviewed all 23 indigent defense plans submitted to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Eight districts, covering 28 counties, have clear, comprehensive plans with specific deadlines and procedures designed to ensure poor felony defendants receive early and continuous representation. The plans cover how and when attorneys are appointed for proceedings before indictment, when cases are typically heard in justice, county or municipal courts (misdemeanor courts) and continue in Circuit Court after indictment. Many of the remaining plans omit deadlines and other key details. That does not mean indigent defense is routinely inadequate in those districts, but it does leave judges, lawmakers and the public with little way to assess whether defendants are receiving timely representation.