Blair County Public Defender’s Office

Right to Counsel

Every person arrested or accused of an offense in Pennsylvania has the right to the assistance of counsel for his defense. The right to counsel includes the right to representation even if the accused is indigent and cannot afford counsel. Although entitled to free counsel, an indigent defendant does not have the right to defense counsel of his/her choice.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Office of the Public Defender is to provide legal representation to defendants by safeguarding fundamental individual rights and to guarantee protection afforded by the United States Constitution.

Court Events:

Court hearings are IN-PERSON appearances, NO video appearances are permitted. Notices will provide you with the date, time and courtroom of your hearings. We strongly suggest that you call TWO days in advance to confirm the scheduled date, time, and type of appearance.

About our office:

Current Clients will be notified by mail of upcoming court hearing dates. It is encouraged that you call the office if you have questions regarding court dates.

Address and phone numbers must be updated with our office to keep current contact information updated.

APPLICATIONS FOR REPRESENTATION:

Applications for representation are available on the County's website. If you need an application mailed, faxed or emailed just call our office during normal business hours. You may also apply in person at our office during regular business hours Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Please attach a copy of your most recent pay stub and a copy of the criminal complaint when you submit the application. After you have submitted your application to our office, please call within two business days for the status of your application.

Current Clients that have questions or concerns regarding their case(s), we strongly recommend that you schedule and appointment to talk to your Attorney. Preliminary Hearings will be assigned an Attorney the day of their preliminary hearing and counsel will then speak with you that day regarding your case.

Sincerely,

Julia E. Burke
Chief Public Defender

Updated: March 2026

The Public Defender handles ONLY criminal proceedings, This includes:

1. Juvenile delinquency proceedings
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2. Critical pretrial identification proceedings

3. Preliminary hearings

4. Common Pleas Court Trial, from pretrial motions through post-trial motions

5. Post conviction proceedings at both the trial and appellate levels

6. Superior Court and Pennsylvania Supreme Court appeals

7. Criminal fugitive and extradition proceedings

8. PFA contempt hearings; and

9. Probation and parole proceedings, including revocation thereof.

** If you are unsure if your situation is a criminal matter, please contact our office. *

Representation by the public defender’s office MAY also apply for the following situations:

For a summary offense which carries jail time, often for driving on a suspended license.
At a magistrate office, contempt proceedings also known as a payment determination hearing for non-payment of fines/costs.
At the Common Pleas Court (main courthouse), contempt proceedings for non-payment of fines/costs.
* * YOU MUST APPLY TO OBTAIN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S SERVICE * *

Get an application at our office or click on the link in "Resources" (print it out);
Drop the application at our office; OR
Bring it to the magistrate office for your court date; OR
Fax the application to (814) 693-3259; OR
Scan or take pictures of the application and email it to us at publicdefender@blaircountypa.gov; OR
Last, standard mail it to us.

If you have any other questions please contact our office at (814) 693-3255, or email to publicdefender@blaircountypa.gov.