The Richland County Public Defender's Office is located in Olney, Illinois. The Office of Public Defenders provides legal representation in criminal matters for those individuals who have criminal charges in Richland County and qualify for their services. With one Chief Public Defender, attorneys and staff, the office ensures that every accused citizen, regardless of financial resources, receives zealous and effective representation as mandated by the United States and Illinois Constitutions. 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. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay and the right to a lawyer. Therefore, you should first contact the Richland County Public Defender's Office for further assistance.