The Public Defender Department is under the County Executive Administration per Act 139 of 1973.
The Public Defender's Office provides legal representation to persons who cannot afford a private attorney and are charged with criminal offenses that may result in a jail sentence. Representation, which is ordered by the U.S. Constitution, is generally provided by one of the three staff attorneys with the Public Defender Office, but may be provided by an appointed private attorney. One staff attorneys specializes in Probate Court and Friend of the Court matters.