The Office of the Public Defender represents indigent people charged with felony crimes in Circuit Court from arraignment through trial. This office will likely resolve 1,000 cases in the calendar year, involving crimes that range from telephone harassment to capital murder.
The Public Defender ensures that every accused citizen, regardless of financial resources, receives zealous and effective representation as mandated by the United States and Mississippi Constitutions.
About Public Defenders
The Jackson Jackson County's Public Defender's Office employs five full-time attorneys and two investigators. They are licensed attorneys, like any other attorney who practices privately. Each attorney in the Public Defender's Office are required, like all other practicing attorneys, to participate in continuing legal education programs.
The Public Defender Office plays a necessary and integral role in the administration of the judicial system in Jackson County. Its members proudly ensure that the Constitutional rights of their clients are protected and strive to provide expert legal service without cost to the client. The offices also offer a benefit to the taxpayers of Jackson County as appointment of attorneys on a case-by-case basis would impose a substantial burden on the county budget.
Background of Public Defender
The office was established by a Ford Foundation Grant in the 1970's and has been in continuous operation since. It is one of only six full-time public defender offices in the state.