The audio version of this story is AI generated and is not human reviewed. It may contain errors or inaccuracies.
Editor’s note: This essay is part of Mississippi Today Ideas, a platform for thoughtful Mississippians to share their ideas about our state’s past, present and future. Opinions expressed in guest essays are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of Mississippi Today. You can read more about the section here.
Toward the end of last year, one of my strongest attorneys walked into my office and told me he was leaving. He loved being a public defender and believed deeply in representing people who could not afford a lawyer.
But he could no longer afford to stay. Assistant public defenders in Hinds County earn, on average, more than $50,000 less than their prosecutor counterparts…