Public Defender

Contact us

Events & Holidays

The Crawford County Office of Public Defender shall furnish legal counsel to any person who is charged with a qualified criminal offense, and, for lack of funds as determined by office guidelines, is unable to obtain legal counsel.

Download an application for a Public Defender here. Applications can be sent via email to pdintake@co.crawford.pa.us. Applications must be signed and submitted with proof of income if applicable. Incarcerated defendants can request an application from the jail officials.

No applications can be approved without an intake interview.

For any questions regarding the Office of the Public Defender, please email us at pdhelp@co.crawford.pa.us OR call us at (814) 333-7367 or (800) 982-9019

Telephone: (814) 333-7367 or (800) 982-9019

Office Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm

This office represents the following types of cases*:

  • Criminal Charges
  • Probation or Parole Violations
  • Domestic Relations Contempt
  • Protection from Abuse Contempt
  • Driving Under Suspension-DUI Related
  • Juvenile Petitions

Situations where the District Judge indicates that a penalty of incarceration is likely if a conviction results.

View your case docket online at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us

Instructions On How to Search Your Case Docket Online

J. Wesley Rowden, Esquire Public Defender
Gary Kern, Esquire First Assistant Public Defender
Michael P. Kennedy, Esquire Assistant Public Defender
Emily M. Merski, Esquire Assistant Public Defender
Hope Campbell​, Esquire ​Assistant Public Defender