The Cook County Public Defender’s Office has opened a community office in Austin, offering legal support, pretrial resources and even art programs.
The Freedom Defense Center of Austin is now open inside Austin’s Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, 5500 W. Madison St. The new office — the agency’s second in the county — provides access to legal counsel, case management, community education and referral services — all with an eye toward removing barriers to justice, officials said.
The Public Defender’s Office opened its first community defense center in Roseland in the spring.
The centers specialize in supporting neighbors navigating criminal court, including offering walk-ins for free legal information. Private pods are available at the office to attend virtual court hearings with staff support, if allowed by the court.
The Public Defender’s Office will also use the Austin center to offer legal education for situations such as traffic stops, immigration issues, how to get a gun license and carry a firearm, how to legally possess cannabis and other topics that involve potential encounters with law enforcement.
In addition to public defender support during trials, community members can receive pretrial resources and trauma support from the center as they navigate the criminal justice system. Referrals are available for more social services.
For community members looking to have records expunged, assistance is offered at the center through Caprini Green Legal Aid.
“We often first meet our clients on the worst day of their lives — at a courthouse. Community-based defense centers change that narrative and return dignity to our clients,” said Sharone Mitchell Jr., Cook County public defender, said in a statement. “By having centers in Roseland and now in Austin, we can build trust, connect people to resources earlier and help address challenges before they become crises — all while being part of the neighborhoods we serve.”
The Austin center also offers art programs aimed at addressing underlying traumas for clients. A partnership with community nonprofit ConTextos includes opportunities for community members to share their stories and experiences through various art mediums, including writing, painting and drawing.
“One big thing as far as to why the arts is important [at the center] is that, ultimately, the people that are sharing their story, art and creativity feel seen,” said Kalief Dinkins, arts coordinator at the center. “We’re trying to highlight how Black and brown stories are shared in the community, but also through the legal system. … Oftentimes, those are the stories that are overlooked and unheard.”
Beyond criminal justice support provided by the Freedom Defense Center of Austin, additional legal support is offered at the Aspire Center through Legal Aid Chicago offices located on-site.
The Aspire Center, which opened in June, is a repurposing of the closed Emmet Elementary School that brings a community and workforce development center under one roof. A joint venture of the Westside Health Authority and Austin Coming Together, the center includes a podcast studio, manufacturing workforce training facilities and offices for local nonprofits.
