Office:   200 S. Ninth St., Room 301 Phone:   (217) 753-6699   (217) 789-9406 Fax Hours:   8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST   Monday - Friday At least one public defender is appointed in each county within the circuit. A public defender represents a person accused of a crime and the State's Attorney represents the victim of the alleged crime. A public defender is appointed by the trial judge to defend the accused if he is financially unable to hire his own attorney. Properly qualified persons are appointed to this position by a majority vote of the Circuit Judges. Sangamon County currently has 14 part-time public defenders.