The Rock Island County, IL Public Defender's Office provides quality legal representation for defendants in criminal, juvenile, and mental health matters, who cannot afford an attorney or are entitled to legal representation pursuant to the Illinois State Constitution. With one Public Defender and seven Assistant Public Defenders, the office is mandated by state law and the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Illinois to provide competent, effective and ethical legal representation to people unable to afford private counsel. The Public Defender does not represent individuals in civil matters other than mental health matters and does not represent individuals involved in child support or contempt cases. The Public Defender is not a "free attorney." Convicted defendants, who are found able to do so, are required to pay a fee to the Public Defender, according to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 18. These monies are referred to as Rule 18 Fees. Records on file with the Public Defender are copies of documents already contained in a defendant's criminal or juvenile file or are privileged by the attorney-client relationship. Adult criminal files are available for inspection through the Circuit Clerk's Office. Juvenile files are closed to the general public. You should first contact the Rock Island County Public Defender's Office for further assistance.