Sangamon County, IL Public Defender’s Office
Description
The Sangamon County Public Defender's Office is located in Springfield, Illinois. The office currently consists of six full-time attorneys, seven part-time attorneys, a legal secretary, and an administrative secretary. The Sangamon County criminal justice system recognizes that quality legal representation in criminal and related proceedings is a fundamental right of the people and that there should be no distinction in the availability of quality legal representation based upon a person's inability to pay. In furtherance of that fundamental right, the State of Illinois provides for effective county public defender systems throughout the State to represent indigent persons in criminal and related proceedings. The Sangamon County Public Defender is appointed by a majority vote of the circuit judges within the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Illinois. It holds office at the pleasure of those judges competent to appoint. The right to counsel guaranteed to every American citizen accused of a crime is embodied in the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and made applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. An integral component of the right to counsel is the right to court-appointed counsel for those unable to hire an attorney. Please visit their website for who qualifies for representation by the Public Defender's Office and how and when you can apply.