Office of the Public Defender

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
(Last client interview is held at 3:45 pm)

Our Mission

The Office of the Public Defender is responsible for furnishing competent and effective legal counsel to any person who lacks sufficient funds to obtain legal counsel in any proceeding where representation is constitutionally required.

The Public Defender Act authorizes the Office of the Public Defender to provide legal counsel in the following matters:

  • Where a person is charged with juvenile delinquency;
  • Critical pretrial identification procedures;
  • Preliminary hearings;
  • State habeas corpus proceedings;
  • State trials, including pretrial and post- trial motions;
  • Superior Court appeals;
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court appeals;
  • Post conviction hearings at the trial and appellate levels;
  • Criminal extradition proceedings;
  • Probation and parole violation hearings;
  • Involuntary commitment under the Mental Health Procedures Act;
  • Any proceeding where personal liberty is in jeopardy.