Ingham County Office of the Public Defender

04/17/2026

The Ingham County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution at their April 14 meeting appointing Stephen Cornish the new Chief Public Defender. Mr. Cornish previously served as Deputy Chief Public Defender and brings extensive criminal defense experience to our office. Please join us in congratulating Chief Cornish on this well deserved appointment.

04/01/2026

The Ingham County Office of the Public Defender will be closed on Friday April 3rd, in honor of Good Friday

02/18/2026

Join the Michigan Department of State for a free clinic to learn how to get your driver's license restored this Friday, March 13th, at The Union Missionary Baptist Church at 500 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Appointments start at 10:00 am and end at 3:30 pm but walk-ins are welcome from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

01/02/2026

Our office will be closed at 1 pm today, January 2, 2026, in order to allow our staff to pay their respects to our Chief Public Defender, Keith Watson, who passed away on December 23, 2025. Mr. Watson was admired by many, including his staff. Mr. Watson will be remembered for the significant impacts he made to the Office of the Public Defender during his tenure. He will be missed.

Celebrate the life of Keith Watson, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.

12/25/2025

The night before last I lost a good friend and Ingham county lost a great public servant. I was the first Public Defender for Ingham County. I knew when I applied I was going to need Keith Watson. Not only was he an excellent trial attorney but I had watched as the younger attorneys sought out his counsel. He worked with me my entire time and then he stepped into the role as Public Defender. He left us too soon

11/26/2025

The Office of the Public Defender is currently in the process of moving. As a result, the office is currently closed to the public. If you need assistance, call (517)679-2979.

Send a message to learn more

11/19/2025

11/05/2025

The Ingham County Office of the Public Defender will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th in Honor of Veteran's Day

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10/27/2025

MDHHS received notice from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, there may not be enough funding to fully support November Food Assistance Program (FAP) benefits nationwide. As a result, FNS has directed MDHHS to temporarily pause the issuance of November FAP benefits until further guidance is provided.
MDHHS will notify FAP households via text message, comment added to correspondence, and a banner message will be posted on MI Bridges.
We will be referring clients to the following resources for assistance:
Central Michigan 211 – to find your local food pantry
• Call 2-1-1 or 866-561-2500
• Text your zip code to 898-211
• Website – https://centralmichigan211.org
Greater Lansing Food Bank
• Find a Food pantry and mobile distribution list at
https://Greaterlansingfoodbank.org/get-help/pantries
• Call GLFB’s Assistance Line at 517-449-0360

Leading the fight against hunger in mid-Michigan since 1981.

06/18/2025

Our office will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.
We will re-open Friday, June 20, at 8:00 a.m.

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05/21/2025

The Ingham County Office of the Public Defender will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day.
Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Send a message to learn more