Lake County, OH Public Defender’s Office

The Lake County Public Defender's Office is located in Painesville, OH. With one Director, 17 Assistant Public Defenders, one Social Worker, one Chief Investigator, and other legal supporting staff, this office provides legal representation to indigent clients in Lake County. This Public Defender's office represents both juveniles and adult defendants. They handle cases in the Lake County Juvenile, Domestic Relations and Common Pleas Courts, Mentor, Painesville and Willoughby Municipal Courts, Eleventh District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. They represent people accused of Felony, Misdemeanor and serious traffic offenses, like OVI and DUS, as long as incarceration (jail, prison or juvenile lock up) is a potential punishment. 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. Forms such as Eligibility Client Information Sheet forms, Financial Disclosure Form in Spanish as well as Waiver of Application Fee forms, are all available for download on the Lake County Public Defender's Office website. For information about who qualifies for representation by the Public Defender's Office and how and when you can apply, please visit their website.