Champaign County Public Defender
Elisabeth R. Pollock

Our Mission

The Champaign County Public Defender's Office provides legal services for indigent persons in Champaign County. Our lawyers and staff zealously represent persons in criminal, traffic, juvenile, abuse/neglect and other matters when appointed by the Court. We are dedicated to the pursuit of liberty and justice for all.

About Us

The Champaign County Public Defender's Office only represents indigent persons when appointed by the Court. The Public Defender may be appointed in criminal, traffic, juvenile, abuse/neglect, mental health commitment hearings and contempt matters. The office employs 16 lawyers, an investigator, two legal secretaries and an executive assistant. The office also hires interns from the University of Illinois College of Law, Political Science Department and School of Social Work. The Court appoints the Public Defender's Office but the chief Public Defender assigns cases to particular lawyers. Lawyers are assigned to particular caseloads and courtrooms and clients do not get to choose which attorney will represent them.