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Special recognition acknowledging March 18 as National Public Defender Day in Lake County.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, March 18 is National Public Defender Day celebrating the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling of Gideon v Wainwright in 1963; and
WHEREAS, this decision changed the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to include the guaranteed right to legal counsel for all those facing imprisonment, even if they can’t afford to hire a lawyer; and
WHEREAS, the Gideon v Wainwright decision inspired the creation of public defense agencies across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Public Defender’s Office was created in 1972 when the first Public Defender was appointed; and
WHEREAS, since 1972, there have been five public defenders appointed; and
WHEREAS, Joy Gossman is the current Lake County Public Defender. She is also the first woman and has served the longest in that role; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Public Defender’s Office currently has 48 employees, including support staff, social workers, investigators, and attorneys; and
WHEREAS, public defenders and public defense professionals are part of a defense community for those in need, providing important and excellent work every day in both criminal and civil cases; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Justice believes the work of public defense lawyers is vital to communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, that this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, thanks the entire Lake County Public Defender’s Office for their work serving those in need of their services.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on March 12, 2024.