New public defender selected for Boone County
From news reports
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — Attorney Kathryn Cross has been selected by circuit judges of the 17th Judicial Circuit to serve as public defender for Boone County.
“Ms. Cross is a skilled lawyer with a recognized presence in Boone County. She and her staff prove
daily that the quality of legal services does not depend on the amount of money a client can
afford,” said Judge Rob Tobin, presiding Boone County circuit judge. “She is a star on the rise and I’m confident the office will continue to thrive under her leadership.”
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Cross has served as the appointed interim Boone County public defender since December. Her legal career has been primarily dedicated to service within the Boone County Public Defender’s Office.
“I am both honored and humbled to have been chosen as the Boone County public defender,” Cross said. “I look forward to leading an office that provides excellent representation to the indigent clients of Boone County.”
Cross completed her undergraduate studies at Monmouth College in 2008 and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2011. She is a member of the Boone County Bar Association and has served as its president since 2018. She is also a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association.
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Her involvement with community and civic organizations includes judging, mentoring and sponsoring the Monmouth College Moot Court Program, and volunteer work with the Second Chances Summit for sealing and expunging criminal records and the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford.
