Court Opinion

ID: 863300
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-04-26 23:57:38.230117+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:25:07.700191
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
                                    NO. 2000-IA-01477-SCT
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, RONNIE MUSGROVE, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS
GOVERNOR, AND MIKE MOORE, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS ATTORNEY
GENERAL
v.
QUITMAN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

DATE OF JUDGMENT:                                  08/30/2000
TRIAL JUDGE:                                       HON. ELZY JONATHAN SMITH, JR.
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED:                         QUITMAN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS:                          OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
                                                   BY: ROGER GOOGE, JR.

                                                   HAROLD EDWARD PIZZETTA, III
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:                            ROBERT B. McDUFF
                                                   DENNIS C. SWEET, III
NATURE OF THE CASE:                                CIVIL - OTHER
DISPOSITION:                                       AFFIRMED & REMANDED - 10/31/2001
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:                        11/29/2001; denied 2/21/2002
MANDATE ISSUED:                                    2/28/2002

     EN BANC.

     SMITH, JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:

¶1. Quitman County ("the County") brought this civil action for declaratory and injunctive relief in the
Quitman County Circuit Court against the State of Mississippi, Governor Ronnie Musgrove, and Attorney
General Mike Moore ("the State"). The County alleged that by imposing the obligation to fund the
representation of indigent criminal defendants on the County, the State breached its duties under Art. 3,
§ 26 of the Mississippi Constitution to provide adequate representation for indigent criminal defendants and
that the State had breached its duties under the Public Defender System Act of 1998 to provide a
statewide, state-funded public defender system. Pursuant to M.R.A.P.5, this Court granted the State
permission to take this interlocutory appeal from an order of the circuit court denying the State's motion to
dismiss Count I of the County's complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.(1)

                               FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS BELOW

¶2. The Legislature of this State has adopted a "county-based system" of providing indigent defense
services. See Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-7 (1999), § 99-15-17 (2000). Under this system, Quitman
County, through its Board of Supervisors, has the sole responsibility to provide indigent criminal defense
services in that county. At the time this action was filed, Quitman County was responsible for funding
indigent defense services in all criminal cases. Effective July 1, 2000, the Legislature enacted statutes
establishing the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel, the Office of Capital Defense Counsel, and the
Mississippi Public Defender System Task Force. See Miss. Code Ann. § 99-39-101 (2000), § 99-18-1
(2000), § 25-32-71 (2000), respectively. After the establishment of these offices, the counties retain
responsibility of providing indigent defense services in all non-capital cases.

¶3. In Count I of its complaint, filed December 17, 1999, the County alleged that by imposing the
obligation to fund indigent defense on the counties, the State breached its duty under Art. 3, § 26 of the
Mississippi Constitution to provide adequate representation for indigent criminal defendants. In Count II of
the complaint, the County alleged that the State breached its duties under the Mississippi Statewide Public
Defender System Act of 1998 to provide a statewide, state-funded public defender system. The County
requested that the circuit court enter a declaratory judgment that the State had breached its duties under
Art. 3, § 26 of the Mississippi Constitution; that the State had breached its duties under the Public Defender
System Act of 1998; and that Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-7 and § 99-15-17 are void because they
unconstitutionally impose obligations on counties to pay for indigent defense. The County also requested
that the circuit court issue an injunction directing the State to provide a statewide, state-funded system of
indigent defense. Finally, the County requested that if the State failed to provide such a system within a
reasonable period of time, the court prohibit the State from providing funds to district attorneys or law
enforcement officials for the prosecution of criminal defendants.

¶4. In its answer, the State raised, among other defenses, the affirmative defense of the County's alleged
failure to state claim on which relief may be granted. The parties began extensive discovery, and on July 10,
2000, the State filed its motion to dismiss both causes of action raised by the County. The State argued that
Count I of the complaint should be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted
and that Count II of the complaint should be dismissed as moot. The State also argued that the County
lacked standing to assert either cause of action.

¶5. On August 31, 2000, the circuit court entered judgment on the State's motion. The court first concluded
that the County had standing to sue, finding that the County has a colorable interest in the State's meeting its
constitutional obligations and that the County had experienced adverse effects from the State's alleged
failure to meet its constitutional obligations. The court rejected the State's assertion that Count I of the
complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. In its opinion, the circuit court stated
that though this Court has expressed reluctance to intervene in the State's compliance with Art. 3, § 26, this
Court has found that the Courts and the Legislature have concurrent responsibility for the State's
compliance in this area. The circuit court found that the Courts of this State have the authority to order the
Legislature to provide a public defender system that complies with Art. 3, § 26, and concluded that the
County may be able to show facts to overcome the presumption of the constitutional validity of the State's
current public defender system.

¶6. The circuit court granted the State's motion to dismiss as moot Count II of the County's complaint
because the Mississippi Statewide Public Defender System Act of 1998 never became effective. Section
21 of the Mississippi Public Defender System Act stated that "all new programs authorized under [the act]
shall be subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature during the
1998 Regular Session or any subsequent session. This act shall be codified, but no amendment to a code
section or a repeal of a code section enacted by [the act] shall take effect until the Legislature has funded
any new programs authorized hereunder...." The Legislature never provided funding for the Act, and the
Act, by its own terms, never became effective.
¶7. The State sought to appeal the circuit court's denial of its motion to dismiss Count I of the County's
complaint, and this Court granted the State's petition for interlocutory appeal on October 10, 2000. The
County concedes in its brief that the circuit court's dismissal of Count II is not before this Court on appeal.

¶8. The issues raised before this Court on appeal are as follows:

      I. WHETHER THE COUNTY HAS STANDING TO SUE THE STATE REGARDING AN
      INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL CLAIM ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
      ITS TAXPAYERS?

      II. WHETHER THE COUNTY'S COMPLAINT FAILED TO STATE A CLAIM UPON
      WHICH RELIEF MAY BE GRANTED.

                                                DISCUSSION

      I. WHETHER THE COUNTY HAS STANDING TO SUE THE STATE REGARDING AN
      INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL CLAIM ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
      ITS TAXPAYERS?

¶9. This Court must first address the threshold issue of standing. Quitman County brought this action in its
own name and on behalf of its taxpayers. The cause of action at issue is premised upon the claim that the
State has breached its constitutional duty to provide effective assistance of counsel to Mississippi's indigent
criminal defendants.

¶10. The State asserts that Quitman County does not have standing to sue because it is suing on its own
behalf upon an ineffective assistance of counsel claim and that "[n]o court . . . has ever held that the Sixth
Amendment protects the rights of anyone other than criminal defendants." Portman v. County of Santa
Clara, 995 F.2d 898, 902 (9th Cir. 1993). Accord, Kinoy v. Mitchell, 851 F.2d 591, 594 (2d Cir.
1988) (holding that the right to counsel creates no rights for the attorney or anyone other than the
defendant). Therefore, since Quitman County's complaint named the county board members and the
taxpayers only and did not name any person who specifically had been deprived of the effective assistance
of counsel, the State claims that Quitman County does not have standing to sue.

¶11. It is well settled that "Mississippi's standing requirements are quite liberal." Dunn v. Miss. State Dep't
of Health, 708 So. 2d 67, 70 (Miss. 1998); see also Miss. Gaming Comm'n v. Bd. of Educ., 691 So.
2d 452 460 (Miss. 1997). This Court has explained that while federal courts adhere to a stringent definition
of standing, limited by Art. 3, § 2 of the United States Constitution to a review of actual cases and
controversies, the Mississippi Constitution contains no such restrictive language. Van Slyke v. Bd. of
Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, 613 So. 2d 452, 460 (Miss. 1997) (citing Sosna v.
Iowa, 419 U.S. 393, 397-403, 95 S.Ct. 553, 42 L. Ed. 2d 532 (1975)). Therefore, this Court has been
"more permissive in granting standing to parties who seek review of governmental actions." Van Slyke, 613
So. 2d at 875. See also Dye v. State ex rel. Hale, 507 So. 2d 332, 338 (Miss. 1988) (holding state
senators had standing to sue Lieutenant Governor on charges that their legislative power had been impinged
by his power). In Mississippi, parties have standing to sue "when they assert a colorable interest in the
subject matter of the litigation or experience and adverse effect from the conduct of the defendant, or as
otherwise provided by law." Fordice v. Bryan, 651 So. 2d 998, 1003 (Miss. 1995); State ex rel. Moore
v. Molpus, 578 So. 2d 624, 632 (Miss. 1991).
¶12. Heretofore counties have been permitted to maintain actions against the State to obtain declaratory
and injunctive relief against unconstitutional statutes or actions by the state. See, e.g., State v. Miss. Ass'n
of Supervisors, Inc., 699 So. 2d 1221 (Miss. 1997) (Association of Supervisors and counties brought
action seeking declaration of unconstitutionality of statutes allowing operators of certain vehicles to apply to
Mississippi Department of Transportation rather than counties for permit to operate on non-federal
highways); State v. Hinds County Bd. of Supervisors, 635 So. 2d 839, 842 (Miss. 1994) (county
brought action seeking declaration of unconstitutionality of statute setting reimbursement to county for
housing of state inmates in county jail). A county may sue and be sued pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 11-
45-17 (1972). Also, a suit may be brought "in the name of a county, where only part of the county or its
inhabitants are concerned, and where there is a public right to be vindicated." Miss. Code Ann. § 11-45-19
(1972). See also Bd. of Trustees v. Van Slyke, 510 So. 2d 490, 496 (Miss. 1987) (where standing by
individuals and boards is also permitted in Mississippi in any "action . . . concerning a matter of general
public interest. . . .").

¶13. Here, the question at hand is whether Quitman County has asserted a colorable interest in the subject
matter of the litigation or experienced an adverse effect from the conduct of the defendant. Clearly,
Quitman County has asserted a colorable interest in the existing county-based system of indigent defense
funding. Quitman County complains that the county-based system results in an inadequate and
unconstitutional system of indigent defense. Quitman County is particularly interested in this funding scheme
because it, obviously, is a county, and, as such, is the entity which our Legislature has required to provide
indigent defense funding. Furthermore, Quitman County has experienced an adverse effect from the State's
alleged failure to provide adequate funding for indigent defendants. Quitman County asserts that the county-
based system has had devastating consequences for the county's budget, for the taxpayers, for the criminal
justice system, and for the indigent defendants. For these reasons, Quitman County has standing to bring
this action against the State.

      II. WHETHER THE COUNTY'S COMPLAINT FAILED TO STATE A CLAIM UPON
      WHICH RELIEF MAY BE GRANTED.

¶14. The second issue before this Court is whether the circuit court erred in finding that the County stated in
Count I of its complaint a claim upon which relief may be granted. We stress that the sole question before
us is whether the County can prove no set of facts which would entitle it to the relief requested. Our analysis
of this issue requires no conclusion as to the constitutional validity of the funding scheme enacted by the
Legislature. Though members of this Court have heretofore expressed dissatisfaction with that scheme and
even gone so far as to question its constitutional validity, that question is not presently before us, and this
opinion should not be construed as stating a position on that issue.

¶15. Again, the County alleged in its complaint that by requiring counties to fund the representation of
indigent defendants, the State has violated its duty under Art. 3, § 26 of the Mississippi Constitution to
provide effective assistance of counsel to indigent criminal defendants. The County claims that Miss. Code
Ann. § 25-32-7 and § 99-15-17 are unconstitutional because they impose fiscal obligations to provide
defense counsel on the counties in violation of the State's duty under Art. 3, § 26. In its opinion, the circuit
court repeatedly refers to the State's compliance with the Sixth Amendment to the United States
Constitution as well as Art. 3, § 26 of the Mississippi Constitution. The County's complaint, however,
brings this action only under Art. 3, § 26 of the Mississippi Constitution.
¶16. A motion to dismiss under M.R.C.P. 12(b)(6) raises an issue of law, which is reviewed de novo.
Lowe v. Lowndes County Bldg. Inspection Dep't, 760 So. 2d 711, 712 (Miss. 2000); Tucker v.
Hinds County, 558 So. 2d 869, 872 (Miss. 1990). Taking the well-pleaded factual allegations of the
complaint as true, the motion should not be granted unless it appears beyond any reasonable doubt that the
plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of its claim which would entitle it to relief. Moore ex rel. City
of Aberdeen v. Byars, 757 So. 2d 243, 246 (Miss. 2000).

¶17. Essentially, the State makes two arguments regarding the County's alleged failure to state a claim.
First, the State argues that the County's allegations, even if taken as true, are insufficient to overcome the
applicable presumption of constitutionality afforded the statutes at issue. Second, the State argues that the
financing of public defenders is a legislative matter for which the courts can provide no remedy. We will
address these arguments in turn. It is well settled that a court may strike down an act of the legislature "only
where it appears beyond a reasonable doubt" that the statute violates the clear language of the constitution.
James v. State, 731 So. 2d 1135, 1136 (Miss. 1999). A party challenging the statute must be able to
"overcome the strong presumption" that the act is constitutional. Cities of Oxford, Carthage, Starkville,
& Tupelo v. Northeast Elec. Power Ass'n, 704 So. 2d 59, 65 (Miss. 1997).

¶18. Art. 3, § 26 of the Mississippi Constitution states, in pertinent part:

      In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have a right to be heard by himself or counsel, or both,
      to demand the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted by the witnesses against him, to
      have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and, in all prosecutions by indictment or
      information, a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the county where the offense was
      committed. . . .

This provision has been interpreted to create a duty on the part of the State to provide effective assistance
of counsel to indigent defendants. Mease v. State, 583 So. 2d 1283 (Miss. 1991); Wilson v. State, 574
So. 2d 1338 (Miss. 1990); Conn v. State, 125 Miss. 488, 170 So. 2d 20 (1964) (relying on Gideon v.
Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 83 S. Ct. 792, 9 L.Ed. 2d 799 (1963)).

¶19. The State legislatively requires counties to fund the representation of indigent criminal defendants.
Section 25-32-7 provides:

      The public defender shall be provided with office space, secretarial assistance, and all reasonable
      expenses of operating the office, at least equal to or more than the county prosecuting attorney, or the
      district attorney if the public defender represents the entire circuit court district. The compensation and
      expenses of the public defender's office shall be paid by the county or counties if two (2) or more
      counties are acting jointly. The funds shall be paid upon allowance by the board of supervisors by
      order spread upon the minutes of the board.

¶20. Also, § 99-15-17 provides, in pertinent part, "The fees and expenses [of counsel for indigents] as
allowed by the appropriate judge shall be paid by the county treasurer out of the general fund of the county
in which the prosecution was commenced."

¶21. The cases brought before this Court to date involved the issue of the State's compliance with its duty
to provide representation for indigent criminal defendants in the context of the limits placed on attorney's
fees in individual cases by § 99-15-17. In each of those cases, the Court upheld the constitutional validity
of § 99-15-17, deferring to the Legislature's right to expend public funds. See Mease v. State, 583 So. 2d
1283 (Miss. 1991); Wilson v. State, 574 So. 2d 1338 (Miss. 1990); Pruett v. State, 574 So. 2d 1342
(Miss. 1990). The case at hand is different in that it involves the issue of the State's compliance with its duty
to provide representation for indigent criminal defendants in the context of a system of providing indigent
defense. Nevertheless, in two of those cases, members of the Court expressed reservations regarding the
constitutional validity of the county-based system of indigent representation. In Wilson this Court stated:

      Nothing in this opinion is meant to interfere with the right of the Legislature to order the expenditure of
      public funds but in light of this opinion, the Legislature may wish to reconsider the funding of attorney
      representation of indigents. In fact, we would encourage the Legislature to review the system and
      provide funds for the representation of indigent defendants in capital cases from State funds rather
      than county funds. Since the State funds the prosecution in these cases, why not the defense?

Wilson, 574 So. 2d at 1341. Also, in Mease, Justice Prather, specially concurring, stated, "As in Wilson, I
suggest the Legislature address the problem of indigent representation on a statewide basis, rather than
thrust the burden on financially-strapped counties." Mease, 583 So. 2d at 1285.

¶22. The County alleges that § 99-15-17 and § 25-32-7 unconstitutionally remove the burden of the State
to provide representation for indigent defendants and place it on the County. The County does not argue
that it is per se unconstitutional for the Legislature to require the County to fund the representation of
indigent defendants. In fact, the County conceded during oral argument that the Legislature has the authority
to place the burden of such funding on the County. The County's argument lies in the allegation that these
statutes do not meet the requirements of Art. 3, § 26 because they result, in Quitman County, in
widespread ineffective assistance of counsel due to the fact that the County cannot afford to discharge its
burden of providing funding for indigent defendants in a constitutional manner. The State argues that
because the Legislature has the authority to direct counties, as subdivisions and agencies of the State, to
assist in providing representation for indigent defendants, the County's complaint fails to allege a palpable
conflict between the actions of the Legislature and the Constitution and, as such, must be dismissed for
failure to state a claim.

¶23. The State relies on Art. 14, § 261, which provides that "[t]he expenses of criminal prosecutions shall
be borne by the county in which such prosecution shall be begun...." The State's reliance on Art. 14, § 261
is misplaced. Again, the County's allegations do not rest on the assertion that the State is constitutionally
prohibited from requiring the County to provide funding for indigent defense. Rather, the County's
allegations rest on the assertion that the State's requiring the County to provide funding has resulted in
chronic underfunding and systemic ineffective assistance of counsel in Quitman County. It is not the funding
which the County argues the State has unconstitutionally shifted to the counties, but the ultimate obligation
of indigent defense. The breach of duty, alleges the County, occurred not when the State required the
counties to fund indigent criminal defenses, but when that requirement resulted in systemic ineffective
assistance of counsel that has gone unchecked and unremedied by the State. It is the State's failure to
remedy the alleged systemic ineffective assistance of counsel that is the crux of the County's complaint.

¶24. The County states that at trial it is prepared to show the cost of an effective system of indigent criminal
defense, the County's inability to fund such a system, and the failure of the existing system to provide
indigent defendants in Quitman County with the tools of an adequate defense. The County's complaint
includes the following well-pled facts:
      • The State's refusal to provide funds and its imposition of the financial burden on resource-starved
      counties has had dire consequences for the provision of indigent defense services in Mississippi.
      Studies prepared for a committee of the Mississippi Bar Association in the 1990s found:

      - Funding for indigent defense is totally inadequate (amounting to $3.24 per capita, far less than any
      other state);

      - The lack of adequate resources for indigent defense services results in poor quality services and
      representation that falls beneath the minimum standards of representation required by the Mississippi
      Constitution; and

      - There is not statewide oversight of indigent defense, which leads to a hodgepodge, county-by-
      county approach to defense services.

      • The State's lack of involvement in the provision of indigent defense and inadequate resources
      available to such indigent defense means that constitutional requirements for the effective assistance of
      counsel are not met. Studies conducted for the Mississippi Bar Associate found:

      Resources are not sufficient to provide adequate representation even in felony cases, particularly in
      those counties using the contract public defender system. Every aspect of defense representation is
      compromised. Specifically, there is very little: early representation provided, investigation conducted,
      attorney/client contact, or use of experts. There is a low trial rate in felony and misdemeanor cases.
      The requirement for contract defenders and assigned counsel to handle their own appeals, often with
      no additional compensation, creates a disincentive for taking cases to trial. Case preparation is often
      late, and frequently preliminary hearings are waived and defendants are held in jail three to six months
      without counsel until arraignment in circuit court. The overall situation has led to an insufficient number
      of qualified attorneys willing to take court appointments in indigent cases or to seek contract public
      defender positions.

      • The defendants have imposed enormous and unpredictable indigent defense costs on Quitman
      County and its taxpayers. As a result, financial resources available to fund schools, hospitals, local law
      enforcement and the traditional health, safety and welfare obligations of county government have been
      substantially reduced.

      Defendants' imposition of indigent defense costs on counties has disproportionately increased tax
      burdens on counties with small populations but significant crime problems - often from non-residents -
      such as Quitman County, and has led to unequal tax burdens.

      Chronic underfunding of indigent defense has resulted in constitutional requirements for effective
      assistance of counsel often not being met and has adversely affected the administration of justice in
      Mississippi.

¶25. We conclude that the County has pleaded facts which, when taken as true as they must be on a Rule
12(b)(6) motion, are sufficient to demonstrate that by requiring Quitman County to fund indigent criminal
defense in that County, the State has breached its constitutional duty to provide indigent defendants with
effective assistance of counsel.

¶26. Additionally, the State argues that the financing of public defenders is a legislative matter for which the
courts can provide no remedy. The State asserts that because there exists no constitutional restriction on the
ability of the State to allocate the costs of indigent defense between the State and counties, the system of
indigent defense is a public policy decision solely within the purview of the Legislature.

¶27. This Court has recognized that in most instances the authority to control the expenditure of funds for
the purpose of indigent defense is a legislative rather than a judicial matter. See Wilson v. State, 574 So.
2d 1338, 1340 (Miss. 1990); Bd. of Supervisors v. Bailey, 236 So. 2d 420, 423 (Miss. 1971). Though
questions of this nature are traditionally legislative affairs, this Court has recognized that where the
Legislature fails to act, the courts have the authority and the duty to intervene. This Court addressed the
Legislature's failure to allocate sufficient funds for the courts to operate in Hosford v. State, 525 So. 2d
789 (Miss. 1988). In Hosford, poor courtroom conditions including loud noises and poor temperature
control led the circuit court to petition this Court for assistance so that the county courthouse would have
adequate operating facilities. We noted that while the three branches of government should remain separate
and co-equal, where the Legislature, in its allocation of funds to the judicial branch, "fails to fulfill a
constitutional obligation to enable the judicial branch to operate independently and effectively, then it has
violated its Constitutional mandate, and the Judicial branch has the authority to see that courts do not
atrophy." Id. at 798. The Court recognized that while the Legislature has the authority "to furnish what funds
and facilities it deems proper," the courts may act in cases of necessity where the Legislature fails to furnish
the essentials required for the operation of an independent and effective court. Id. Certainly, if adequate
facilities are essential to the administration of justice, so is effective representation.

¶28. In Jackson v. State, 732 So. 2d 187, 190 (Miss. 1999), this Court recognized its authority to act in
cases of necessity. In Jackson, this Court held that the indigent petitioner was entitled to appointed and
compensated counsel to represent him in his post-conviction efforts. We stated, with regard to expenses in
post-conviction proceedings, "The Legislature has been aware of this acute problem. . . . It is strongly urged
that the Legislature proceed toward a solution to this serious problem by enacting the program utilized in
Virginia or some other system. We can no longer sit idly by." Id. at 191.

¶29. In Wilson v. State, 574 So. 2d 1338, 1340 (Miss. 1990), the Court addressed the issue of indigent
defense attorney compensation under § 99-15-17 and stated, "[w]hile we do have the authority to override
the Legislature in cases of absolute necessity, we have previously held that the issue of compensation for an
attorney appointed to defend an accused in a criminal case is a legislative matter rather than a judicial
matter." See also Bd. of Supervisors v. Bailey, 236 So.2d 420 (Miss. 1970) (where the Court first
indicated that the question of compensation was a legislative matter as opposed to a judicial matter).

¶30. The question raised by the County's allegations is whether, assuming the State has failed in its duty to
provide effective indigent defense, the county-based system has resulted in the inability of the judiciary to
operate in an independent and effective manner to the extent that this Court must, of necessity, interfere in
this traditionally legislative function and order the Legislature to establish a statewide, state-funded system
of indigent criminal defense. Again, taking as true the well-pled allegations of the County's complaint, such
systemic constitutional deficiencies would entitle the County to relief.

                                               CONCLUSION

¶31. Quitman County has standing to bring this action against the State. The County has a colorable interest
in the State's compliance with its duty to provide effective assistance of counsel to indigent defendants under
Art. 3, § 26. Furthermore, the injuries alleged in its complaint by Quitman County to itself and its taxpayers
are sufficient evidence of an adverse effect from the State's alleged lack of compliance with Art. 3, § 26 to
survive a Rule12(b)(6) motion. Whether Quitman County can prove such allegations at a full trial on the
merits will be determined upon remand.

¶32. The circuit court correctly found that the County stated a claim upon which relief may be granted.
Therefore, the order denying the State's motion to dismiss Count I of the Complaint is affirmed, and as such
this case is remanded to the circuit court for further proceedings.

¶33. AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.

      BANKS AND McRAE, P.JJ., COBB AND DIAZ, JJ., CONCUR. PITTMAN, C.J.,
      DISSENTS WITH SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION JOINED BY WALLER, J. EASLEY,
      J., JOINS IN PART. MILLS, J., NOT PARTICIPATING.

      PITTMAN, CHIEF JUSTICE, DISSENTING:

¶34. This case is before us on interlocutory appeal from the Quitman County Circuit Court. Judge Elzy J.
Smith granted the State's M.R.C.P. 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss Count Two of Quitman County's complaint,
but denied the motion with respect to Count One of the complaint. Count One alleges the State has
breached its duty under Article 3, Section 26 of the Mississippi Constitution to provide and fund adequate
representation for indigent criminal defendants. The County claims this breach is occurring because Miss.
Code Ann. § 25-32-7 (1999) and § 99-15-17 (2000) have shifted the burden of paying for indigent
defendant's counsel from the State to the County and the County does not adequately pay for counsel. The
County asks that these statutes be declared unconstitutional and that an injunction issue to require the State
to provide a statewide public defender system. It asserts that this lack of funding for indigent defense
counsel is causing systemic ineffective assistance of counsel within its borders.

¶35. This Court has previously held: "[I]neffective assistance of counsel is a matter that is better decided on
a case by case basis." Wilson v. State, 574 So. 2d 1338, 1341 (Miss. 1990). See also State ex rel.
Stephan v. Smith, 747 P.2d 816, 831 (Kan.1987). There are no other cases where anyone other than the
defendant has been allowed to raise this claim. Portman v. County of Santa Clara, 995 F.2d 898, 902
(9th Cir. 1993) ("No court . . . has ever held that the Sixth Amendment protects the rights of anyone other
than criminal defendants."). Accord, Kinoy v. Mitchell, 851 F.2d 591, 594 (2d Cir. 1988).

¶36. Quitman County brings this claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on behalf of its taxpayers, not the
indigent defendants. The County does not propose to prove how its public defenders have been ineffective
in specific cases. Rather, the County is concerned with the financial burdens the costs of indigent defense is
placing upon its tax revenues. To allow Quitman County to raise an ineffective assistance of counsel claim
here would unnecessarily broaden jurisprudence on standing and where it leads, this Court cannot now
know. Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are, of necessity, fact-specific as what constitutes
ineffective assistance in one case may not be in another. It would be premature to say that all indigent
defendants awaiting trial in Quitman County have received ineffective assistance of counsel since they have
not had an opportunity to have their guilt determined at trial and their counsel's assistance examined in light
of those proceedings.

¶37. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Quitman County's problems giving indigents effective assistance of
counsel were created by its own failure to act. The Quitman County Board of Supervisors is bringing this
suit because it does not believe it pays its own public defenders adequately. To allow the County to have
standing due to its partially self-imposed problems would be to open the door to a floodgate of lawsuits on
many subject matters where a County Board of Supervisors disagrees with state law. Therefore, I do not
agree that the County has standing to raise indigent defendants' claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.

¶38. The majority also finds Quitman County has stated a claim for which relief may be granted. Quitman
County asks for the following relief:

      1) declaratory judgment that:

      A) the State has breached its duty to afford indigent defendants effective assistance of counsel,

      B) the statutes placing the funding of indigent defense on the county are null and void,

      C) the State is required to establish a statewide, state-funded public defenders office for all indigent
      defendants

      2) preliminary and permanent injunctions that:

      A) direct the State to establish a statewide public defender's office

      B) if no such office is established, then to prohibit the State from funding the prosecution of criminal
      defendants.

Where will the counties and a majority of this Court strike next? State-aid roads, law enforcement, and the
like? These requirements are imposed by state statute. Will we next be called on to judicially weigh their
desirability or their proper funding?

¶39. This Court can strike down a statute only where it appears beyond all reasonable doubt the statute
violates the clear language of the Constitution. James v. State, 731 So. 2d 1135, 1136 (Miss. 1999).
There is a strong presumption a statute is constitutional which the party challenging the statute must
overcome. Cities of Oxford, Carthage, Starkville & Tupelo v. Northeast Miss. Elec. Power Ass'n.,
704 So. 2d 59, 65 (Miss. 1997). Any doubts concerning the constitutionality of a statute must be resolved
in favor of the validity of the statute. Id. It is clear that the statutes placing the burden of funding indigent
defense counsel on the counties as arms of the State are supported by Article 14, Section 261 of our
Constitution. Section 261 reads: "The expenses of criminal prosecution shall be borne by the county in
which prosecution shall be begun. . . ." This Court has held that compensation for public defenders are part
of the expenses of a criminal prosecution. Bd. of Supervisors v. Bailey, 236 So. 2d 420 (Miss. 1970).
As there is no disagreement between the Constitution and the statutes in question, then there is an absolute
presumption for the statutes' validity and no cause to hold the statutes unconstitutional.

¶40. This Court has addressed claims similar to the one raised here in Wilson and Pruett v. State, 574
So.2d 1342 (Miss. 1990) (controlled by Wilson). In Wilson, an indigent defendant raised the issue that his
counsel could not render effective assistance to him, or anyone, due to the compensation constraints of
Miss. Code Ann. § 99-15-17, a section which Quitman County seeks to have declared unconstitutional.
This Court refused to find this section unconstitutional in light of an ineffective assistance of counsel claim,
but chose to construe it in a constitutional manner which allowed for reimbursement for actual costs of
defense. The Court went on further to explain:
      While we do have the authority to override the Legislature in cases of absolute necessity, we have
      previously held that the issue of compensation for an attorney appointed to defend an accused in a
      criminal case is a legislative matter rather than a judicial matter.

      Although we recognize our inherent authority to provide counsel for indigents, we refused to interfere
      with the Legislature's right to expend public funds. The Legislature is better equipped to handle this
      matter. . . .

Wilson, 574 So. 2d at 1340. It is clear, then, that the statute in question is constitutional-and has been held
so by this Court-and relief cannot be had in the form of an injunction which strikes it down.

¶41. Article 1, Sections 1 and 2 also indicate that it is outside the Court's power to assume control of the
establishment and funding of a public defender's office from the Legislature. Article 1, Section 2 specifically
provides:

      No person or collection of persons, being one or belonging to one of these departments [the three
      branches of government], shall exercise any power properly belonging to either of the others. . . .

Miss. Const. art. 1, § 2. In only the rarest of circumstances should this Court interfere in a duty it has held
to belong to the Legislature. See Jackson v. State, 732 So. 2d 187, 190 (Miss. 1999); Wilson, 574 So.
2d at 1340; Hosford v. State, 525 So. 2d 789, 797, 798 (Miss. 1988); Bailey, 236 So. 2d at 422.
Quitman County is ultimately asking this Court to force the Legislature to create a statewide public
defender's office and fund it. I agree that it would be wise for the Legislature to create and fund a statewide
public defender's office. However, the Legislature has attempted to solve the problem of indigent defense in
other ways.(2) By its actions the Legislature has shown that it is not blind to the plight of Quitman County. It
is the Legislature which holds the key to solving these problems, not this Court by impressive and excessive
exercise of judicial authority. Therefore, I dissent.

      WALLER, J., JOINS THIS OPINION. EASLEY, J., JOINS IN PART.

1. There are pending three similar suits have been held in abeyance pending the outcome of this appeal-
Jefferson County v. State, Cause No. 99-0169, pending in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County;
Noxubee County v. State, Cause No. 99-0136, pending in the Circuit Court of Noxubee County; and
Van Slyke v. State, Cause No. 00-0013-GN-D, pending in the Chancery Court of Forrest County.

2. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 99-18-1 to -19 (2000) (Mississippi Capital Defense Litigation Act); id. §§ 99-39-
101 to -119 (2000 & Supp. 2001) (Mississippi Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Act); id. § 25-32-71
(Supp. 2001) (Mississippi Public Defender Task Force).