The Tioga County Public Defender's Office is located in Montrose, Pennsylvania. This office provides cost-free legal representation to indigent persons, juvenile through adult, in criminal matters ranging from traffic offenses to criminal homicide. Additionally, clients may seek representation, pre-arrest through appellate proceedings. With one Public Defender and other supporting staff, the office has an ethical responsibility to work for the client's best possible resolution of the case. An individual must apply for a public defender by completing a detailed financial statement and agreeing to provide documentation concerning income, assets and debts for the person and the person's spouse if any. This information is generally provided to a court employee who reviews the financial information and recommends to the judge whether or not the person is eligible for government-paid counsel. Individuals determined to be eligible for court-appointed counsel do not have the right to choose who their attorney will be. However, they do have the right to have competent legal representation. Individuals may contact the organization directly or work through an attorney for more information or to file a claim.