The Cook County Public Defender serves criminal defendants who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

State's Attorneys prosecute all misdemeanor and felony crimes committed in Cook County. They also file legal actions to enforce child support orders, protect consumers and the elderly from exploitation, and assist victims of domestic violence. The Office has 7 bureaus: Criminal Prosecutions, Juvenile Justice, Narcotics, Special Prosecutions, Civil Actions, Investigations and Administrative Services.

Lists organizations that offer free or low cost legal services in Cook County.

TCR is a non-partisan, collaborative effort by two national organizations that focus on quality criminal justice journalism: The Center on Media, Crime and Justice at John Jay College, the nation’s leading practice-oriented think tank on crime and justice reporting, and Criminal Justice Journalists, the nation’s only membership organization of crime-beat journalists.