a statewide campaign to make Mississippi a national leader in public defense.
ADVOCACY IN HINDS COUNTY
A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR JUSTICE IN HINDS COUNTY
In February and March, 2026 the Defend Mississippi Coalition mobilized to support a request for emergency funds from the Hinds County Public Defender's Office to the Board of Supervisors. Dozens of coalition members attended a press conference, submitted testimony, signed letters and even showed up to the Board vote. Thanks to this support and dedication, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in June, 2026 to approve $261,000 in emergency funds through the rest of the year.Read more below and stay tuned for updates on how to support the Hinds County Public Defender's Office in its FY 2027 budget request this summer.
There is a growing movement, led by Mississippians of all stripes, to transform access to counsel in our state. But it’s going to take all of us.
For liberty, for faith, for the Constitution, and for our future.
WHY PUBLIC DEFENSE MATTERS IN MISSISSIPPI
When people are denied their right to counsel, it hurts all of us. This is an issue of faith, liberty, constitutionAL RIGHTS, fairness, and freedom.
The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to legal counsel when accused of a crime, even if we can’t afford one. Yet in Mississippi, thousands of people–who are presumed innocent and haven’t been convicted of a crime–are detained for months, sometimes years, without anyone to challenge their arrest or prosecution. Mississippians lose hard-won jobs, get evicted from their homes, and even get separated from their families.
When lives are upended, it hurts our communities and our economy while costing taxpayers a fortune.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Together, we can build a public defense system that is:
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No one will be forced to face a judge and prosecutor alone. From day one of a case, Mississippians who cannot afford representation will have access to a defense attorney that will represent them continuously through the completion of the case.
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Mississippians will be provided with legal representation that is appropriately resourced to do what is necessary to mount a meaningful defense and seek the truth.
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To be able to represent Mississippians meaningfully, defense lawyers will be unburdened by excessive case loads, paid adequately and equally to prosecutors, and have access to equal resources.
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A lawyer’s experience and training will match the complexity of the case and meet clear standards to ensure their qualifications and performance.
Highlights from the Mississippi Freedom Summit
In April 2025, Mississippians came together from across the state–and across industries, political parties, experiences, and socioeconomic backgrounds–to commit to making Mississippi the national leader in public defense.
Building on this powerful momentum, the Defend Mississippi campaign translates this collective commitment into a statewide effort to expand access to counsel.
News & Updates
