March 18 is National Public Defender’s Day and the anniversary of the Gideon v. Wainwright case in which the Supreme Court held that the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee a right of legal counsel to anyone accused of a crime, even if they can’t afford to pay for counsel. The unanimous decision made the Public Defender's profession possible. The first Public Defender in Lake County was appointed in 1972, which marked the creation of the Public Defender’s Office. The office now consists of 52 employees, including support staff, social workers, investigators, and attorneys, all of whom work together to serve the indigent accused in Lake County. Public Defender Joy Gossman is the first woman to be appointed to the role.
 
To recognize National Public Defender's Day all county employees were invited to attend an open house at the Public Defender's Office, located at 15 S. County St. in Waukegan. Watch this quick video to learn more.