In Lancaster County, the County Commissioners appoint a chief public defender. There are currently 21 attorneys who serve as assistant public defenders. There is support staff consisting of investigators, paralegals, administrative assistants, and a social service case manager.
When conflicts of interest prevent the Public Defender's Office from serving on particular cases, the county court appoints a private lawyer and compensates them.
Case Representation
In 2025, The Public Defender’s Office opened approximately 6,600 adult cases. Public Defender attorneys represent adults in all types of criminal cases, ranging from capital murder cases to summary cases involving the possibility of incarceration. 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 Supreme Court of the United States.
A smaller portion of the adult caseload in comprised of support contempt cases and indirect criminal contempt cases arising under the Protection from Abuse Act. The office also represents children in criminal delinquency proceedings at the Court of Common Pleas.