Tazewell County, IL Public Defender’s Office

The Tazewell County, IL Public Defender's Office was formally created by a statute of the Illinois General Assembly to implement the constitutional right to counsel, guaranteed by the United States and Illinois Constitutions. The Tazewell County Public Defender's Office presently comprises one Chief Public Defender and 12 Assistant Public Defenders. The attorneys represent clients in the felony, misdemeanor, traffic and juvenile courts. The Public Defender's Office is not permitted to undertake a client's representation or provide legal advice unless a Judge first enters an order appointing the office to provide services. Therefore, other than general furnishing information, the office cannot provide legal advice for someone who contacts the office seeking it. Ordinarily, the Judge will inquire about the issue of legal representation when someone first appears before the court. For someone in custody, this will be within 48 hours of arrest. The office does not provide services for persons in civil cases other than those involving minors' abuse, neglect, or delinquency. Nor does the office provide representation for persons charged with ordinance violations or petty offenses, such as routine traffic offenses. For any clarification on the services of the Tazewell County Public Defender's Office, reach out to them using the contact information provided.