The Public Defender's Office provides attorneys to indigent clients in the courts of McLean County as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Constitution, and Illinois law. The representation begins only after the accused person requests the appointment of counsel and the person provides proof of indigence to a Court Screening Officer. The court then, by written order, directs the Public Defender to represent the indigent person. The Public Defender is also charged, when appointed, with the representation of any indigent party in juvenile proceedings and some mental health proceedings.

There are three primary divisions within the office: Felony, Misdemeanor, and Juvenile. Attorneys in the misdemeanor division also handle traffic offenses for which jail or prison is a possible sentence. Eleven full-time attorneys currently staff the McLean County Public Defender's Office. The office also employs 6 part-time contract attorneys to handle overflow caseloads and cases where a conflict of interest with another appointed case may be present. The support staff includes four secretaries, an office administrator, and an investigator. The office also provides opportunities for undergraduate student internships and law student internships.

Note: The Public Defender's Office is unable to give legal advice or information concerning individual cases or matters to which the office has not been appointed.