Our mission is to protect the fundamental rights, liberties and dignity of each person whose case has been entrusted to us by providing the finest legal representation. We are one of the largest criminal defense firms in the country, with more than 450 attorneys and more than 650 employees overall, representing tens of thousands of Cook County, Illinois residents charged with every type of criminal offense and child protection violation. The Public Defender has the responsibility to staff courtrooms throughout the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Public Defender of Cook County is Sharone R. Mitchell Jr. The attorneys in the office work as his assistants.