In The News

Fri, 12/13/2019

Cook County Jail Inmates Considered Not Violent Enough For Increased Security, Despite Repeated Assaults

It’s a scene that happens every weekday at the Cook County Jail: a bus transports a group of inmates, all handcuffed, to court in the Chicago suburbs. Most of those trips are uneventful; detainees are brought to their hearings and return to jail without incident. But in some cases, those buses ignite the kinds of violence the jail is designed to prevent. The jail transported inmates on buses with other detainees, despite those inmates’ histories of fights while locked up, according to data obtained by CBS 2 through a public records request. Many of the inmates started fights on those buses, despite policies that could’ve required the jail to transport them separately. One of those inmates was Givontae Surratt. Surratt was first locked up in August 2016 on a burglary charge. But while out on bail, prosecutors said he committed a string of armed robberies. That landed him back behind bars. After that, he was involved in at least 15 fights in the jail.
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Wed, 12/11/2019

West Side man to go free after charges dropped in 2000 murder

Xavier Walker won a new trial in July and served nearly 20 years behind bars for a West Garfield Park murder.
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Mon, 11/11/2019

Cook County public defender fighting detention of preteens

CHICAGO — The Cook County Public Defender wants to undo a court decision that allows holding preteens in custody.

The case involves a 12-year-old boy who was arrested last year for his alleged involvement in an armed robbery.

Tue, 11/05/2019

County, court at odds over jailing children

Cook wants minors under 13 kept out, appeals says it can't
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Mon, 11/04/2019

Even as Illinois court permits detaining pre-teens, across U.S. fewer youth being held

Calling “backward” the United States treatment of juveniles, Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli said she plans to ask the Illinois Supreme Court to reverse an Illinois Appellate Court decision last week that permits holding pre-teenagers in

Wed, 10/30/2019

Appeals Court Overturns Cook County Ban On Jailing 12-Year-Olds, Public Defender Vows Appeal

A state appeals court has ruled against a Cook County ordinance banning the jailing of children under 13, writing in a new opinion that the county board does not have the authority to bar commitment to the juvenile jail when a judge has determined it is necessary.

Researchers say criminalizing children can cause long-term harm to their overall development. (kayasit/Adobe Stock)

Wed, 10/09/2019

Fundamental Fairness: Troubled Youths Need Better Protections

October 4, 2019

CHICAGO – More than a century after the world's first juvenile court was established in Illinois, advocates are still fighting to ensure that children accused of crimes aren't treated the same as adults.

Mon, 09/30/2019

Defense seeks mistrial after Chicago police hand over key evidence in midst of trial into 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee’s killing

Thu, 08/22/2019

Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli on Gun Violence

Chicago’s top cop says a gun offender dashboard will create a “culture of accountability.” But not everyone agrees. Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli explains why she objects to the database. https://www.pbs.org/video/cook-county-public-defender-amy-campanelli-gun...
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Thu, 08/22/2019

Community activists: Take down the Gun Offender Dashboard

The database is “inaccurate,” generates “false narrative” that people released on bond are responsible for Chicago’s gun violence, critics said.
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Tue, 08/13/2019

Public defender takes shots at Chicago Police gun offender webpage

The Chicago Police Department’s new online database showing bond amounts for people charged with gun crimes needs to be taken down, Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli said Wednesday...
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Fri, 08/02/2019

The Driver's License Reinstatement Expo was a Total Success!

The Cook County Office of the Public Defender along with the Clerks Office and some other associations participated in the Driver's License Reinstatement Expo. We look forward for more of these taking place, check back again when more information is available.
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Mike Morrissey and the Executive Board of the Cook County Public Defender

Thu, 05/23/2019

The Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender Congratulates Mike Morrissey

Mike Morrissey, Deputy of City Wide Operations,for the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender announces his retirement. Mike has served the office for over 40 years. He has been an inspiring and dedicated advocate for the clients of this office, as well as a leader and mentor to 100's of Assistant Public Defenders.

Mon, 04/15/2019

Amnesty Week at the Circuit Court of Cook County

Monday, April 15th, 2019 thru Friday, April 19th, 2019 is Amnesty Week at the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Fri, 02/15/2019

Amy Campanelli Interviewed by Munir Muhamad

Amy Campanelli appeared on the Munir Muhammad show. Click to watch the interview.

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