Application for Dauphin County Public Defender

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

  1. You MUST apply 5 business days prior to your scheduled hearing.
  2. Our office only handles Criminal Cases.  We do not represent for summary citations, custody, landlord tenant or PFA hearings. 
    1. For civil cases you may contact: Midpenn Legal Services (https://www.midpenn.org/), 800-326-9177 or apply at apply.midpenn.org.
    2. For Landlord/Tenant Issues contact: 717-238-9540 or landlordtenant@pafairhousing.org (please include your residence or property Zip Code when submitting email to the Landlord/Tenant service) https://www.pafairhousing.org/landlord-tenant
  3. Make sure you have your Offense Tracking Number(s) (OTN) before applying click link to look them up https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch
  4. If you are charged with Driving while Operating Privileges Suspended 1543a or 1543b and do not have an OTN number, please enter the docket number ex 304 TR 2024. Be advised that for 1543a we only represent if it is your 6th or subsequent offense.
  5. If you have a warrant at the Magisterial District Justice (MDJ) level, you must contact the MDJ office to resolve your warrant.  You may still apply; however, you are responsible for resolving the warrant on your own.  Link to list of Dauphin County MDJ Offices. https://www.dauphincounty.gov/government/court-departments/magisterial-district-judges
  6. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.
  7. After submission of your online application, it will go through the review process.  You will then be notified by your preferred contact method if your application is approved or denied. 

 

Application