The Mississippi indictment process is known as the “black hole.” But out of that darkness comes some light: Andre De Gruy, State Public Defender of Mississippi.

 

This week, Andre walks us through how he opened the first state public defender trial office in Mississippi and the reality of public defense in that state. 

 

You’ll learn why change within the Mississippi public defense system is so difficult and how Andre has been working to change that story.

 

Through Andre’s expert experience and unique perspective, you’ll get an inside view of the Mississippi legal system and why funding is so hard to come by.

 

Key Topics and Takeaways

 

• The history of Mississippi public defense.
• The financial reality of the Mississippi legislature.
• The incremental approach and if it’s the most effective way.
• How the public defender office was created and what it’s designed to do.
• Why there is opposition from the judges for state funding.
• The conditions of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
• The Michigan Model.
• Criminal reinvestment.

 

Where You Can Find Andre De Gruy, State Public Defender of Mississippi

Mississippi Office of the State Public Defender

References

Office of the State Public Defender 

NAACP LDF Report

Spangeberg Group Report 1997 

Sixth Amendment Center Report 2017 

Mississippi Task Force on Indigent Defense 2020 

Assessment on Indigent Defense 2016