Reform of the Indigent Defense System in Mississippi

Fighting for Low Income Defendants in Mississippi

On behalf of the Mississippi Justice Center and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Brennan Center submitted a friend of the court brief to the Supreme Court of Mississippi in support of Quitman County’s claim that Mississippi violates the Mississippi constitution by failing to adequately finance defense services for low income defendants in the state. The Brennan Center’s brief focused on the significance of established practice standards as a useful tool for evaluating the performance of indigent defense systems. Unfortunately, the Mississippi Supreme Court rejected Quitman County’s claim.

Additional Resources