Mississippi Code Title 99. Criminal Procedure § 99-18-3

There is hereby created the Capital Defense Counsel Division within the Office of the State Public Defender. This office shall consist of a director, sometimes referred to as Capital Defender, who shall be an attorney qualified to serve as lead counsel in death penalty eligible cases and staffed by any necessary personnel as determined and hired by the State Defender. The Capital Defender shall be appointed by the State Defender. The remaining attorneys and other staff shall be appointed by the State Defender and shall serve at the will and pleasure of the State Defender. The Capital Defender and all other attorneys in the office shall be active members of The Mississippi Bar, or, if a member in good standing of the bar of another jurisdiction, must apply to and secure admission to The Mississippi Bar within twelve (12) months of the commencement of the person's employment by the office. The Capital Defender may be removed by the State Defender upon finding that the Capital Defender is not qualified under law, has failed to perform the duties of the office, or has acted beyond the scope of the authority granted by law for the office.