Jefferson County, IL Public Defender’s Office
Description
The Jefferson County, IL Public Defender's Office, located in Mt. Vernon, helps indigent people fight for justice. With one Public Defender, attorneys and other supporting staff, this office is responsible for representing those individuals who have been accused of a crime that carries the potential for jail or prison time and cannot afford to hire a private counsel. An individual must apply for a public defender by completing a detailed financial statement and agreeing to provide documentation concerning income, assets and debts for the person and the person's spouse if any. This information is generally provided to a court employee who reviews the financial information and recommends to the judge whether or not the person is eligible for government-paid counsel. Individuals determined to be eligible for court-appointed counsel do not have the right to choose who their attorney will be. However, they do have the right to have competent legal representation. If the court has assigned a public defender to your case in these Jefferson County, please contact the office head in the respective office for assistance.