Nick Zimmerman, Winnebago County Public Defender Kathryn J. Cross, Boone County Public Defender
The Public Defender's Office provides legal representation to individuals found to be indigent by the Court.
In Winnebago County, thirty-seven attorneys and twelve support staff handle adult felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases; juvenile delinquency cases, and represent parents in abuse and neglect cases. The Winnebago County Public Defender's Office also staffs the problem-solving courts including the Therapeutic Intervention Program, Adult Drug Court, Family Recovery Court, Veterans Court, and Youth Recovery Court.
The Boone County office consists of five attorneys, two full-time support staff and a part-time support staff person. The Boone County Public Defender's Office handles adult felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases; represents minors in juvenile delinquency cases, and parties in abuse and neglect cases; handles extradition and post-conviction matters as appointed by the Court; and staffs the Adult Drug Court and Youth Recovery Court. The Public Defender also represents persons who appear in custody for the initial appearance call each day.
The Public Defender provides a highly competent level of legal representation through the efforts of a staff possessing the greatest concentration of criminal defense experience in the area and a firm belief in the principle that every person is entitled to a fair hearing regardless of their ability to pay.