Lancaster County, PA Public Defender’s Office

The Lancaster County, PA Public Defender's Office represents adults in all types of criminal cases, ranging from capital murder cases to summary cases involving the possibility of incarceration. In Lancaster County, the County Commissioners appoint a Chief Public Defender, they also have 24 Assistant Public Defenders and support staff consisting of investigators and paraprofessionals. In addition, when conflicts of interest prevent the Public Defender's Office from serving on particular cases, the county court appoints private lawyers and compensates them. The representation extends to original criminal prosecutions, probation and parole violation proceedings, and appeals. Public Defender attorneys practice before Magisterial District Judges, the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, the Pennsylvania Appellate Courts, and the United States Supreme Court. A smaller portion of the adult caseload comprises support contempt cases and indirect criminal contempt cases arising under the Protection from Abuse Act. If you wish to have more information, please contact the Lancaster County Public Defender's Office by accessing the contact information.