20130206-134255-MS
To date no government entity, academic institution, organization or individual has been able to collect complete data on how right to counsel services are organized and funded in Mississippi. In 2011, the Mississippi Legislature took initial steps to rectify this situation through the creation of the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD). OSPD is statutorily tasked with coordinating the collection of statistical data and making recommendations to a Supreme Court Task force on the creation of a unified statewide right to counsel system.