At the Cook County Public Defender's Office, we are taking traditional criminal legal defense out of the courthouse and into the community to provide more collaborative representation and services.
About the Freedom Defense Centers
The Freedom Defense Centers will take traditional criminal legal defense out of the courtroom and into the community to provide more collaborative representation and services.
Mission
The Freedom Defense Centers provide comprehensive and accessible legal defense, social services, and education through community collaboration.
Vision
The Freedom Defense Centers foster accountability and trust between the Public Defender’s Office and the communities they serve. The Freedom Defense Centers are rooted in partnership, standing with the community to reduce the impact of the carceral system and fight for justice. They work to change the narrative around harm and safety by honoring community members’ experiences and prioritizing their autonomy.
Values
The Freedom Defense Centers provide services aligned with our values:
- Collaboration: Working alongside the community, we develop deeper relationships with clients and expand their access to critical local services.
- Transparency: Robust, consistent, and honest communication with clients and community is the foundation for accountability, inspiring trust in representation.
- Courage: The wisdom of our ancestors guides us as we work courageously to innovate on the services we offer clients and community, stand steadfast against the harms of the carceral system, and fight for justice and equity.
Working with the Community and Bringing Change
The Freedom Defense Centers aim to empower the community by fighting for justice in collaboration with residents. A local public defense team working with families and organizations in communities will provide more informed and powerful courtroom advocacy.
Community-Centered Planning
Inclusive. Intentional. Collaborative.
Those are the guiding principles for the planning process for the center.
Two planning circles are with us every step of the way, and are advising us on everything from the name of the center, to its mission, to its location, to the cases it will take on and the services that it will provide.
The Outside Planning Circle (pictured above) is made up of community members.
The Inside Planning Circle is made up of people incarcerated at the Cook County jail.
Media Coverage
Block Club Chicago's Maxwell Evans wrote this story about the plans for the Freedom Defense Center.
To learn more or get involved
BUILDING TRUST
As Public Defenders we are working to build trust and collaborate authentically to understand community needs. We are working very hard to involve deeply rooted and diverse community voices in planning circles, focus groups, surveys and public gatherings.
