Cook County Public Defender’s Office

"One of the fundamental injustices of the U.S. criminal legal system is that who ends up in court has more to do with how much money they have in their pocket than almost anything else." For Gideon Day, Sharone Mitchell, Jr. / @CookCoDefender inquest.org/public-defense…

Our policy team has developed and passed bills to benefit our clients, defeated bills that would have enhanced and expanded criminal penalties, and helped create Illinois' first statewide investment in public defense infrastructure.

Read about our policy advocacy in Springfield in this @_inquest_ piece by Cook County Public Defender, Sharone R. Mitchell, Jr.! Full article available here: inquest.org/public-defense…

"The poor people who end up being our clients don’t usually have lobbyists fighting for their interests, so we have stepped up." Sharone Mitchell, Jr., of @CookCoDefender on imagining a powerful new role for public defenders—for Gideon Day 2026. inquest.org/public-defense…

📢Please help us share Keshia’s story. Each of us should be able to protect ourselves from harm and abuse without fear of prosecution. Read the full story at: wbez.org/crime/2026/02/…

We echo the calls of advocates in saying the State's Attorney's Office should drop all charges against Keshia, who was defending herself and her unborn child. She and her daughter deserve freedom and peace. Read the full story: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/02/…

Keshia Golden says she fatally stabbed Calvin Sidney in 2022 when he attacked her after their baby shower. Now the mother of a 3-year-old daughter, Golden is still facing murder charges in a case her lawyers argue amounts to self-defense. chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/02/…

Rather than limiting these diversion programs with blanket policies that exclude many people who could benefit, we encourage the State’s Attorney to consider each case’s unique circumstances and merits for participation. Read the full story: 🔗news.wttw.com/2026/01/28/coo…

This will ensure more people can complete programming and avoid prison sentences and felony convictions.

We encourage the State’s Attorney’s Office to maximize access to all diversion programs for these cases, including removing remaining eligibility limitations on RJCCs and the First Time Weapon Offense Program.

We are glad to see access to the Restorative Justice Community Courts (RJCCs) restored for some of our clients accused of possessing a gun without a license. news.wttw.com/2026/01/28/coo…

We appreciate the thoughtfulness Chief Judge Beach has shown on this. The vast majority of people placed on electronic monitoring are showing up to court and resolving their cases without being accused of committing new offenses.

📢 Register now for the @pilsenneighbors's 14th Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo! The @CookCoDefender will be there to support individuals working to restore their driving privileges. 📅 February 7, 2026 ⏰ 9 AM – 3 PM 📍 Malcolm X College 🔗 Register: pilsenneighbors.org/dlre

⚠️ Due to extreme temperatures, the Public Defender’s Office is not open to public visitors. For more information, call (312) 603-0600. See below for notice: cookcountycourtil.gov/news/circuit-c…

Join us on December 8th for a free KYR workshop on Juvenile Records in partnership with @cabrinigreenlegalaid at the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland, 11437 S. Michigan. Learn how juvenile records work and what options exist for sealing/expungement. All are welcome!

"With that said, there are some horrible, horrible, tragic examples of somebody being accused of another offense, but I don't think any law can stop that from happening."

"The vast majority of people who are accused of a criminal offense and are released do not get re-arrested or re-accused of another offense," said Sharone R. Mitchell Jr., the Cook County Public Defender. fox32chicago.com/news/cook-coun…

There's still time to attend today's Know Your Rights Virtual Town Hall! Register here: forms.office.com/Pages/Response…

Or meet us at the Freedom Defense Center of Austin on the Westside!

It’s happening at our Freedom Defense Center of Roseland! We’re here til 1pm!