Monroe County, PA Public Defender’s Office

The Monroe County Public Defender's Office in Stroudsburg, PA is charged with the responsibility to represent individuals accused of a crime who cannot afford an attorney. With one Chief Public Defender and other attorneys and staff, the services of the office are paid for by the taxpayers of Monroe County. Thus, eligibility for representation is based upon the gross income level of the applicant applying the Federal Poverty Guidelines, similar to the application process for other public service programs. However, it does not represent individuals charged with Federal offenses, only crimes against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is devoted primarily to criminal cases, not civil lawsuits or domestic cases. It includes the following types of matters, provided they occur within Monroe County, Pennsylvania: adults charged with the commission of a crime, juveniles (age 10 to 17) accused of the commission of a crime (juvenile delinquency cases), preliminary hearings, county habeas corpus proceedings, county trials, including pre-trial and post-trial matters, Superior Court appeals, Pennsylvania Supreme Court appeals, Criminal Extradition proceedings etc. and any other situation where representation is constitutionally required. In addition to the services required by the Pennsylvania Public Defender Act, the county requires that the Public Defender represent: PFA Contempt, Parents of Children in dependency proceedings, Petitions for Contempt for failure to pay child support, court costs or fines where imprisonment is possible. Please visit their website for who qualifies for representation by the Public Defender's office and how and when you can apply.