Public defenders; authorize new assistants and provide for office space and expenses for those in Hinds County.

HB 766 increases the authorized number of full-time assistant public defenders in Mississippi's Seventh Circuit Court District (which includes Hinds County) from the current level to six. It requires that these new staff members receive office space, equipment, supplies, two investigators, two legal secretaries, and operational expenses at a level equal to or exceeding those provided to the District Attorney's office, subject to available legislative funding. The bill directly affects public defenders serving Hinds County and the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID) Inferior Court within the Seventh Circuit. Key provisions mandate resource parity with the District Attorney's office and bring forward related sections of law for potential future amendments. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.