Cook County Public Defender's Office

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Cook County Public Defender's Office We protect the fundamental rights & dignity of our clients & provide excellent legal representation. Call our 24/7/365 ARREST HOTLINE. 844-817-4448. Mitchell Jr.

If someone has been arrested in Chicago or anywhere in Cook County. An attorney will go to the police station to represent them for free. We are one of the largest criminal defense firms in the Country, with more than 450 attorneys and 600 employees overall, representing thousands of Cook County residents charged with every type of criminal offense and child protection violation. The Public Defender has the responsibility to staff courtrooms throughout the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Public Defender of Cook County is Sharone R. The attorneys in the office work as his assistants.

10/22/2026

It’s legal for residents over 21 to use cannabis in Illinois, so you may be surprised to hear that arrests related to cannabis possession are INCREASING in Chicago.

Currently, Illinois has confusing laws around transporting cannabis that may not be common knowledge and could get you into legal trouble. When being transported in a vehicle, cannabis must be kept in a sealed, secured, odor-proof, child-proof container.

Court decisions about the odor-proof container requirement have created different rules for the smells of burnt and raw cannabis, contributing to confusion for drivers and passengers. Last spring, our office partnered with the Cannabis Equity Coalition, the ACLU of Illinois, and others to advocate for removing the odor-proof container requirement for transporting cannabis in vehicles. The bill, sponsored by statereplisadavis and Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, didn’t pass this year, but we will continue fighting for this commonsense update to reduce confusion about cannabis laws in future legislative sessions.

Follow us and Canna Equity IL Coalition for updates and to learn how you can get involved.

Post-Conference Photo Dump: Last week attorneys from our office attended our annual three-day conference to receive nece...
10/21/2026

Post-Conference Photo Dump: Last week attorneys from our office attended our annual three-day conference to receive necessary CLE credits and hone their skills. Lawyers from every Division joined sessions covering many topics — including the ethical considerations of using AI, best practices for handling discovery, forensics, and expert witnesses, and key courtroom knowledge, from conflict resolution to cross-examination techniques.

Thanks to director James Sorrels for joining us to screen his new film, Area 2 (Area 2 Film) chronicling Chicago Police torture of Black men in the 80s and 90s. The video highlights the story of author and panelist Ronald Kitchen, from his forced false confession to his exoneration decades later, and exposes the corrupt and abusive tactics and tacit approval of police, political leaders, and everyday bureaucrats. Thanks to panelist, Civil Rights Attorney, and author Jarrett Adams Esq. who was also wrongfully convicted and exonerated, for joining us. Today, Jarrett is fighting for others who have been wrongfully convicted through his organization Life After Justice. 🔗 Visit the link in bio to learn more about the Area 2 film, Ronald’s book, “My Midnight Years: Surviving Jon Burge’s Police Torture Ring and Death Row” and Jarrett’s book, “Redeeming Justice: From Defendant to Defender, My Fight for Equity on Both Sides of a Broken System.”

AI is a hot topic in every industry, including the legal field. Experts joined us to present on the benefits, the risks, and the ethical considerations of using AI in cases.

Defenders shared with each other important wins and tactics for providing the best representation for clients. The Defense Team that represented multiple criminalized survivors of domestic violence this year provided insight on getting to know a client well, advocating in and out of the courtroom, utilizing media to share stories, and working with a team — including attorneys, mitigators, and outside activists — to make a difference in case outcomes. Thanks Moms United Against Violence & Incarceration for participating in this panel and supporting survivors.

👏 It’s a team effort! Shout out to our Professional Development Division and all the Defenders wor

It is disappointing to see Illinois prosecutors pursuing more felony convictions for retail theft that harm communities ...
10/20/2026

It is disappointing to see Illinois prosecutors pursuing more felony convictions for retail theft that harm communities and waste taxpayer money. Numerous studies have demonstrated there is no correlation between rates of retail theft and the dollar amount at which someone is prosecuted for a felony versus a misdemeanor. With no public safety or deterrence value, felony convictions have a poor return on investment: they result in more incarceration, more family separation, and increased risk of immigration consequences for non-citizens.

🔗 Read the full article at cookcountypublicdefender.org/links

Start your public defense career in our office! As a Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender, you'll receive robust train...
10/19/2026

Start your public defense career in our office! As a Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender, you'll receive robust training from experienced attorneys who will help you prepare to provide excellent advocacy in and out of the courtroom.

With hands on experience in case preparation, legal research, investigations, and ultimately litigation, you will support and learn from expert lawyers while gaining hands-on experience. Within our office you will get to experience varied practice including criminal defense, family defense, forensic science litigation, traffic, immigration defense, and more.

Applications are now open for next year's Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender cohort (with an anticipated start date of September 2027).

Candidates must be in their final year of law school or possess a JD.

📆 Deadline to apply is November 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM
💼 Apply at cookcountypublicdefender.org/careers/jobs
💵 We have opportunities for growth! If a Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender becomes a licensed Assistant Public Defender I, they can expect the following projected promotional salaries:
Year 1: $77,009
Year 2: $95,867
Year 3: $100,632
Year 4: $105,695
Year 5: $114,872

10/16/2026

Our office was proud to support this Supreme Court rule amendment to increase review of court decisions trying children as adults. Assistant Public Defenders Michelle Booker and Sam Goldberg led the drafting of our public comment, and Sam also provided live testimony at the Rules Committee’s public hearing in April.

We thank the Illinois Supreme Court and all the advocates behind this change for making it possible for children who are discretionarily transferred to adult court to immediately appeal the decision.

While no child should ever be tried in adult court, this an important step in the right direction.

10/15/2026

The family policing system harms children and parents. Assistant Public Defender, Madeline Townsend breaks it down in the most recent episode of the Cook County Public Defender Podcast. Madeline shares what it's like to defend families and why families need individualized support instead of punitive, one-size-fits-all assessments and requirements. Hear about Madeline's career journey and what she loves most about defending families.

🎧Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
🔗Link in bio

Check out these events next week!Take the first step towards clearing your record at our monthly Record Expungement & Se...
10/14/2026

Check out these events next week!

Take the first step towards clearing your record at our monthly Record Expungement & Sealing Workshop with and New Leaf Illinois.

📅 Monday, October 19
🕚9:30 am (Doors close at 10:00 AM)
📍Freedom Defense Center of Austin, 5500 W Madison St
📩To RSVP, email [email protected] or call 312-738 -7399

Join an information session with Westside Health Authority and Goodneighbors - we will be there, providing materials and resources to community members!

📅 Tuesday, October 20
🕚1:00 pm
📍5437 W Division St
📩To RSVP call 773-786-0249

🔗For additional details, visit the link in bio.

Welcome to the Fall 2026 Pre-Licensed Attorneys joining our office!These 28 recent graduates are currently participating...
10/06/2026

Welcome to the Fall 2026 Pre-Licensed Attorneys joining our office!

These 28 recent graduates are currently participating in an extensive training and orientation program with our Professional Development team. Over the past four weeks, they have participated in lectures, interactive trial advocacy exercises, and site visits designed to introduce them to the work of our office, connect their legal education to the practice of public defense, and begin developing the skills they will need in the courtroom. This week, they continue their training at the locations of their first assignments, where they will begin learning from Defenders in their respective divisions.

We look forward to watching them grow as advocates, gain valuable experience across Cook County, and begin serving our clients and communities.

Join our office and manage a talented team! We are looking for an experienced criminal, immigration or family defense at...
10/01/2026

Join our office and manage a talented team! We are looking for an experienced criminal, immigration or family defense attorney to provide guidance and legal expertise on cases in our office. This position will represent clients and assist in case preparation for all types of cases, including complex felony cases.

🔗 Apply by October 14 at cookcountypublicdefender.org/careers/jobs

Tell us what you think! Join our Freedom Defense Centers in partnership with Access Living next week for listening sessi...
09/29/2026

Tell us what you think! Join our Freedom Defense Centers in partnership with Access Living next week for listening sessions about courthouse accessibility. If you are a person with a disability who has experience interacting with the Public Defender's office or the Cook County court system, we want to hear your insights. You can help us become more accessible for all.

📅 Tuesday, Oct 6
🕚 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
📍 Freedom Defense Center of Roseland, 11437 S. Michigan Ave
📩 To RSVP, email [email protected] or call 312-738 -7374.

📅 Wednesday, Oct 7
🕚 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
📍 Freedom Defense Center of Austin, 5500 W. Madison Street
📩 To RSVP, email [email protected] or call 312-738-7399.

🔗 Learn more and register at cookcountypublicdefender.org/events

Address

69 W. Washington, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL
60602

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5am

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