Public Defender

Serving Indigent Criminal Defendants


The Washington County Public Defender’s Office provides legal representation for indigent clients for the following types of cases:
  • Criminal
  • All felonies and misdemeanors
  • Summary cases involving incarceration (i.e. driving under DUI related driver’s license suspension citation)
  • Indirect criminal contempt: (i.e. violations of protection from abuse orders and Clerk of Courts failure to pay)
  • Juvenile court petitions
  • Mental health involuntary commitments
Representation requires application at least seven business days before the date of the hearing by filling out the application, providing proof of income and case paperwork (criminal complaint, juvenile petition, or other court documents).

Applications are available at the Office of the Public Defender, all magisterial district offices, and the Washington County Correctional Facility (for inmate use only).

A copy of the application is available to download and must be returned to the Public Defender’s Office fully executed at least seven business days before the hearing.