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Mississippi

An aerial photograph of the Mississippi Supreme Court building, a beige, multi-story building with a pointed roof and columns.
Jackson July 2
‘Hold People Accountable’: Why Mississippi Courts Must Now Produce Public Defense Plans
The state Supreme Court wants to know how local courts provide lawyers, if any, to poor people after their arrest.
By
Louisiana Rep. Delisha Boyd, a Black woman wearing glasses and a black dress, speaks into a mic while standing in front of a podium. Two Black men wearing suits stand in the background.
Closing Argument June 21
These States Are Debating Castration for Sex Crimes. Experts Call It Cruel and Pointless.
Critics say there’s no evidence that castration prevents future sex offenses. Yet several states are weighing such measures.
By
A collage shows a black-and-white photo of a domed capitol building, snippets of text from reports about the indigent defense system in Mississippi and, on the right, a silhouette of a man in a suit holding a briefcase against a grayish-blue textured background.
Jackson June 12
From Budget Chaos to Public Defenders: Mississippi Poised to Fund ‘Day 1’ Experiment
Indigent felony defendants in many counties have lacked court-appointed lawyers before indictment, even while they sat in jails for weeks or months.
By
A black-and-white photograph shows two White men in suits looking out a shattered window, while a Black man in a T-shirt gestures downward. The parts of the building around the window are covered in bullet holes.
Jackson May 14
DOJ Shakeup May Put Civil Rights Probe of 1970 Jackson State, Mississippi, Killings At Risk
The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Act made way for investigations of racially motivated killings. The federal agency enforcing it is in disarray.
By
A Black man in a navy suit and blue tie walks up the steps outside of a courthouse, next to a Black man with a TV news microphone, in front of a White man wearing a blue suit and holding a leather briefcase.
Jackson May 12
In Mississippi’s Capital City, Indicted District Attorney Flouts Campaign Disclosure Laws
While he fights federal bribery charges, Jody Owens faces sanctions for not disclosing campaign funds and spending. Weak laws confuse enforcement.
By
Jackson April 8
Search Mississippi Criminal Justice Bills as They Move Through the Legislature
Use our interactive bill tracker to stay informed on changes to courts, policing, prisons and more.
By
A collage shows black-and-white photos of a filing cabinet, a broken door with bullet holes and labels, a judge’s gavel, a sheriff’s car, and a White man wearing a suit with his right hand raised. Text from search warrants are layered on top of yellow shapes.
Jackson March 20
Mississippi’s No-Knock Raids Have Led to Death and Injury. Dozens of Warrants Lacked Clear Justification.
Some local courts have backed off approving no-knocks, but there are still no statewide limits on these dangerous types of raids.
By
An incarcerated person wearing food preparation gloves adds French fries to a food tray that contains a hamburger and a small bag of baby carrots.
Closing Argument March 8
The Big Business of Bad Prison Food
A market analysis said the food service industry in U.S. prisons and jails is worth billions — and is forecasted to grow.
By
A photo of a White woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a blue dress posing with her daughter, who is wearing a striped pastel dress and a bow in her blond hair. The woman and her daughter are sitting in a child’s room.
Feature December 12, 2024
Facing Decades in Prison, a Mississippi Mother Defied a Prosecutor and a Hazy Legal Theory
A prosecutor had been threatening mothers who used drugs while pregnant with long sentences — until Brandy Moore fought the case against her.
By Anna Wolfe
An illustration shows portraits of judicial candidates Jenifer B. Branning, left, and Jim Kitchens, right, and the words “Supreme Court Runoff Election Guide.”
Jackson November 20, 2024
Meet the 2 Candidates for Mississippi Supreme Court’s Nov. 26 Runoff Election
Justice Jim Kitchens faces state Sen. Jenifer B. Branning after neither won 50% of the vote on Nov. 5.
By The Marshall Project – Jackson
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