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Please be aware : The Berks County Area Agency on Aging, Assessment, Mapping, Planning Commission, and the Industrial Development Authority will move from the County Services Center to the South Campus in Mohnton throughout April and May.  If you have any business with those departments, please check with them about their current location before visiting.

Online Public Defender Application For Representation Instructions

Online Public Defender Application For Representation Instructions

To Applicant:

  1. The Application has English & Spanish versions.
  2. You must submit the application at least 2 business days prior to your scheduled hearing.
  3. Please answer every question. If a question does not apply to you then answer no.
  4. You must submit the following financial information, if applicable
    1. Your current paystub;
    2. Your current bank statement;
    3. Your spouse’s current paystub;
    4. Your Social Security Disability statement;
    5. Your Social Security statement or Unemployment statement;
    6. Your spouse’s Social Security Disability statement;
    7. Your Spouse’s Social Security statement or Unemployment statement.
  5. DO NOT EMAIL ANY OF THE ABOVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  Please fax the financial information to 610-478-6673 or mail to: Office of the Public Defender, Courthouse, 12th Floor, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601.
  6. If you receive new charges, you must complete a new application.
  7. It is your responsibility to contact the Public Defender’s Office at 610-478-6650 after submitting the application to see if you were approved.
  8. Please PRINT your name & date where indicated on the application.

Completing an Application Information

Complete Application Using a Computer

  • Desktop Computer user recommendation:
    • "Download Adobe Reader or another pdf reader to view PDF documents. NOTE: Adobe Reader is a free pdf reader and is only listed as a suggestion. Any pdf reader should work.
  • Save the pdf document to your desktop or fill out the application online.
    • "Right-click the on the document link, then click "Save Target As". The document can then be saved to your computer.
    • Open the document from where you saved it on your desktop. The document will open in the Adobe Reader application (or whichever pdf reader you have).
    • Application can be filled out at this time or while on-line.
    • Use your gmail, aol account to attach the saved application and then send application to the pd email listed below.
    • Public Defender's email: pd@countyofberks.com or fax to 610-478-6673.
    • Please note that there may be other documents needed to process your application. Please make sure you use a valid phone number so we can reach you if needed.
    • Call the office to make sure we have received your application.

If you have issues completing the form, please contact our office at 610-478-6650. Thank you.

Mobile Device (Phones, Tablets) Recommendations:

  • Mobile Device (phones/tablets) recommendation:
    • "Download Adobe Acrobat Reader" to view documents in PDF format from wherever you download apps for your mobile devices.
    • Use "Google Chrome" web browser.  Can also be downloaded from wherever you download your apps.
  • Go to the Online Application to Apply for a Public Defender page on the Public Defender's website.
    • Click on the document link to open it.
    • Once the document is open, look to the bottom of the screen to see "Open with".
    • You will have several choices, but choose a pdf reader (i.e., Adobe Reader).
    • The document opens with fillable fields and working buttons at the bottom of the page.
    • Complete the application and send it to the Public Defender's by email to pd@countyofberks.com or fax to 610-478-6673.

If you have issues completing the form, please contact our office at 610-478-6650.  Thank you.