The Harrison County Public Defender's Office is located in Gulfport, MS. With eight Felony Defenders, three Parent Defenders, five Death Penalty Defenders, seven Youth Defenders, the Harrison County Public Defender's Office provide legal representation to indigent defendants in Harrison County who cannot pay for private counsel and who are at risk of losing their liberty if convicted. The roles and responsibilities of the Harrison County Public Defender's Office are to provide legal representation, consultation, and advice to clients, represent clients through criminal investigative proceedings, create a defense plan, conduct investigative legal research, and interview the necessary clients and witnesses, work closely with clients, discuss relevant information and strategies. All dealings between a court-appointed attorney and the client are confidential. Attorneys who provide public defense representation are not only subject to the Mississippi State Bar's ethical requirements that govern all lawyers, but must also meet qualification standards that have been established for public defense representation. For information about who qualifies for representation by the Public Defender's Office and how and when you can apply, please visit their website.