Public Defender

The Public Defender’s Office is charged with the duty of representing individuals who have been declared indigent by the Court in criminal cases including: Traffic, Misdemeanor, Felony, and Juvenile proceedings. Our office cannot represent individuals in Civil or Family Law matters.

To obtain legal representation of the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office, you must appear in court and request the appointment of our office. You will be required by the Court to fill out an affidavit of assets and liabilities.

Each Public Defender in the office is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois. Our attorneys have a range of experience in the practice of law. Our attorneys are assigned to represent a specific person and our obligations are to the clients that we represent.

The office also employs an investigator and support staff. The investigator will interview witnesses at the request of the attorney and client. They will also serve subpoenas to individuals for court, if necessary. Our support staff ensures that our attorneys have what they need to represent our clients. Our entire team also facilitates communication between attorneys, clients, and witnesses. Se habla español.

Chip Criswell
Public Defender

Phone: 815-899-0760
FAX: 815-899-0761

DeKalb County Courthouse
133 West State Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.