Andre De Gruy

Andre De Gruy, State Public Defender of Mississippi and reform advocate, discusses the complexities of the public defense system in the state. He highlights the challenges of securing funding and the 'black hole' of the indictment process, where defendants often go months without legal counsel. Andre shares insights on the history of public defense, the pressure for incremental reform, and the need for early appointment of counsel. His vision includes a Michigan-inspired model to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and address the systemic failures that have led to the current crisis.