Public Defender’s Office of Allegheny County

Who We Are

Our office 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. It is our mission to defend our clients by providing skilled, aggressive, and passionate advocacy in order to preserve the rights guaranteed to all members of our community. If you are without funds to retain an attorney, you may qualify for representation by the Public Defender’s Office of Allegheny County.

Legal Counsel Provided

• 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

Legal Counsel NOT Provided

• Family Division matters such as divorce, child custody, support, initial PFA proceedings or termination of parental rights
• Traffic citations, unless there is a mandatory sentence
• Landlord -tenant matters
• Dependency proceedings involving the Office of Children, Youth and Family Services

Who We Serve

Area(s): Allegheny County

Income Guidelines

Adults who are in custody automatically qualify for representation through our office. Adults who are in custody will be interviewed in the jail prior to their preliminary hearing.

Adults who are not incarcerated or otherwise detained must come in person to the Public Defender’s Office at least three business days prior to the court date to determine eligibility for representation.

To qualify for a public defender, an adult defendant must meet income requirements. Our office considers the US Federal Poverty Guidelines, household income, and the nature of the charges when determining whether an adult defendant qualifies for representation.

Your family’s income should be at or below the following percentage of the federal poverty level

125

Is this organization accessible by wheelchair?: Yes

Does this organization provide access for the hearing impaired?: Yes

Type of Help

This group provides the following types of services based on your legal needs and its resources:

• Full Legal Representation

How to Get Help

You can contact this organization by: