Skip to main content

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Menu

Office of the Public Defender, Lehigh County>

Section Links
     
English Online Application
     
Application Processing
Please allow 5-7 business days for processing of your application!

¡Por favor, espere de 5 a 7 días para el procesamiento de su solicitud!

     
Solicitud para Defensor Público
     
Office of the Public Defender
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
LEHIGH COUNTY COURTHOUSE
455 HAMILTON ST RM 615
ALLENTOWN, PA 18101-1602
TEL: 610-782-3157
FAX: 610-820-3154
E-mail: GeneralPublicDefender@LehighCounty.org

Monday thru Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM

KIMBERLY F. MAKOUL, ESQUIRE
 CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER
Mission Statement: The Public Defender endeavors to protect the rights of our clients by providing vigorous, compassionate and ethical legal representation to individuals who can not afford to pay for an attorney. Our highly trained and motivated staff of licensed attorneys are committed to excellence and progressive representation at the cutting edge of Pennsylvania criminal practice.

About the Office: We represent eligible individuals in all misdemeanors and felonies, excluding ARD eligible Driving Under the Influence charges. We also will represent juveniles in delinquency matters, as well as individuals charged with Driving with a Suspended license-DUI related, involuntary mental health commitments,  and any other matter where representation is constitutionally required. Our staff is comprised of 19 attorneys, 2 investigators and 4 administrative assistants.  Our office strives to meet the needs of our clients and to protect their civil liberties under both the United States and the Pennsylvania Constitutions.
     
APPLYING FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS NEEDED WHEN APPLYING FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER

When applying for a Lehigh County Public Defender, using the online Application (links to the left & below), applicants are required to have their Police Criminal Complaint and one or more of the following documents. These documents will need to be uploaded during the application process:

 
  • Police Criminal Complaint - REQUIRED

One or more of the following:

  • At least 1 recent pay stub, but you may upload up to 4 recent pay stubs.
  • Letter from last employer verifying termination.
  • Check stub or letter from Unemployment stating benefit amount.
  • Social Security Benefits Verification letter or a copy of most recent check.
  • Court order showing amount of child support paid/received.
  • Letter from Drug Rehabilitation/Mental Health Facility stating I am in an in-patient program and not currently able to work.

                        Please allow 5-7 business days for processing of your application!

                Online Application for Public Defender              Solicitud para Defensor Público        

     
Important Message from the Office Of The Public Defender

LEHIGH COUNTY CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER WARNS OF TELEPHONE SCAMMERS WHO ARE CLAIMING TO BE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE

According to Chief Public Defender Kimberly Makoul, numerous individuals have reported receiving telephone calls from a person claiming to be an attorney with the Lehigh County Public Defender's Office. The caller claims that the individual's child/grandchild has been charged with a crime and that bail money must be sent to the attorney immediately. He then directs them to wire the money, often through Walmart, to a third person. 

The caller is NOT from the Public Defender's Office.  Attorneys from the Public Defender's Office never collect money from anyone for any reason.

Attorney Makoul advises the public that anyone receiving a call requesting money should immediately contact the Lehigh County Public Defender's Office at (610) 782-3157.