Effingham County, IL Public Defender’s Office

The Effingham County Public Defender's Office represents those individuals who have been accused of a crime that carries the potential for jail or prison time and cannot afford to retain private counsel. With a team of Public Defenders, Staff Attorneys and other legal staff, this office handles all varieties of criminal matters from traffic to misdemeanors to murder. The Public Defender's office can also be appointed in juvenile cases and abuse and neglect cases involving the rights of a parent accused of abusing or neglecting their child. Additionally, the Public Defender may represent one of the child's parents to be appointed to represent the interest of the child. The court appoints public defenders. To request a public defender, you need to ask the judge assigned to your case when in court and fill out a financial affidavit which the judge will give to you in court. For any clarification on the services of the Effingham County Public Defender's Office, reach out to them using the contact information provided here.