Public Defender

The duties of the Public Defender are found at 55 ILCS 5/3-4006

The Public Defender, as directed by the court, shall act as attorney, without fee, for all persons who are held in custody or who are charged with the commission of any criminal offense, and who the court finds are unable to employ counsel.The Public Defender shall be the attorney, without fee, when so appointed by the court under Section 1-20 of the Juvenile Court Act or Section 1-5 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 or by any court under Section 5(b) of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1983 for any party who the court finds is financially unable to employ counsel.