Office of the State Pubic Defender
Serving Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha Counties
About
The Mississippi Office of State Public Defender (OSPD) is a state executive agency established in 2011 to oversee, support, and enhance public defense services across Mississippi. The agency operates through specialized divisions to ensure constitutional defense representation for financially eligible individuals:
Indigent Appeals Division: Provides direct appellate representation for indigent individuals appealing felony convictions or Youth Court rulings to state appellate courts.
Capital Defense Counsel Division: Directs defense representation at both the trial and appellate levels for indigent defendants facing death penalty-eligible charges.
Family & Youth Defense Programs: Coordinates legal representation for parents facing allegations of child abuse or neglect and termination of parental rights in Youth Court, alongside dedicated public defense services for juvenile delinquency cases.
Public Defender Training Division: Offers mandatory training, certification, and technical support for trial-level public defenders across state, county, municipal, and youth courts.
Essential details
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Appointment only
Sliding scale — While legal representation is free, individuals may still be assessed standard court fees
Call for more information
Who is eligible
This program is designed for low-income or indigent criminal defendants, juveniles, and parents involved in Youth Court proceedings who cannot afford private legal representation, as well as practicing public defenders across Mississippi seeking specialized training and resources.
Spanish language support
Spanish-speaking staff available.
Spanish-language materials available.