Mission Statement

The mission of the Lake County Public Defender’s office is to protect and defend the rights of our indigent clients accused of crimes, through effective, vigorous, compassionate, and creative legal advocacy.

We aspire to provide the highest level of legal advocacy for each of our clients, and to be a nationwide model for the delivery of indigent defense services.

In addition to advocating for clients in the courtroom in criminal cases, the office also:

● Steers clients to treatment in Behavioral Health Court, Drug Court, Veterans Court, and other collaborative courts;
● Works to clear people’s records so they can seek employment;
● Keeps youth out of the system through our MAGIC programs;
● Represents immigrants facing deportation in immigration court;
● Advocates for changes in laws and policies to make the criminal legal system more fair and equitable, and address racial injustice