Bill > HB294

This bill clarifies the practice limitations of the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel in Mississippi, which is an office established to represent inmates sentenced to death in post-conviction proceedings, which are legal actions taken after a conviction and sentencing to challenge the outcome of a trial. The bill expands the office's ability to represent indigent parties not sentenced to death in post-conviction matters if the director determines there is a valid legal claim and the office has the resources. It also allows the office to continue representation in federal habeas corpus proceedings, which are legal challenges to a person's detention, even after state and federal post-conviction litigation is exhausted, and specifically permits them to represent inmates in federal habeas corpus proceedings in capital cases if appointed by a federal court. The bill maintains restrictions on attorneys in the office, requiring them to devote their full time to their duties and prohibiting them from engaging in other legal practice, lobbying, or participating in the trial or direct appeal of capital murder cases.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0294.xml