420 North Centre Street – Suite 7
Pottsville, PA 17901
Telephone: 570-628-1515
Fax: 570-628-1512
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Karen Domalakes, Chief Public Defender
About the Office
In Pennsylvania, the Public Defender Act requires all counties except Philadelphia to create and fund a public defender system. In Schuylkill County, the County Commissioners appoint a Chief Public Defender, who is full-time. The county also employs Assistant Public Defenders and support staff to help carry out the duties of the office. All public defenders are attorneys at law admitted to practice before the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania. The Office of Public Defender provides legal counsel to indigent persons in the following types of cases:
Persons who are not incarcerated should apply for representation at the Public Defender’s office. They must bring their charge papers, that is, their criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause. They must also bring proof of income, preferably their last pay stub. If a pay stub is not available, applicants should call before they come to the office to discuss what kind of documentation they should bring. IF AN APPLICANT DOES NOT PROVIDE BOTH THEIR PROOF OF INCOME, THEIR APPLICATION CANNOT BE PROCESSED.
Incarcerated persons are automatically entitled to representation by the Public Defender. If a person is an inmate in Schuylkill County Prison, he or she should apply via the prison counselor. If a person is incarcerated in another prison, he or she should apply via the prison counselor in his or her prison. Persons in other prisons must fill out an application, attach their criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause, and mail these materials to the address listed at the top of this page. If an incarcerated person who is represented by the Office of the Public Defender is released from prison, the person must reapply for Public Defender services within 30 days of release (see the preceding paragraph). Prison counselors in other prisons may download the Public Defender application by clicking on the icon at the bottom of this page.
Clients must apply for Public Defender services for each and every set of charges. For example, a client may be represented by the Public Defender on one set of charges. While that case is pending, the client may be charged with a new crime. That client must apply for the Public Defender on the new charge. This is necessary in order for the Office of the Public Defender to effectively represent its clients.
Advice for New Clients
Do not talk about your case
If anyone tries to talk to you about your charges, you should tell them that you cannot talk with them unless your attorney is present. Sometimes a police officer or other law enforcement officer might try to talk with you after you have been arrested. They may even promise to speak on your behalf at a later time or agree to reduce or withdraw your charges. Unfortunately, these promises cannot always be enforced.
If friends or family want to talk with you about your charges, you should not talk to them. If the police find out that you made statements to other people, those people could be summoned as witnesses against you and be forced to testify against you. Even innocent statements by you may later be turned into something that makes it appear that you are guilty, even if you are not.
Write down everything you remember about your case
Take the time to remember everything you can about the charges against you. Where were you? Who was with you? What were you doing? Sometimes even the smallest bit of information can be helpful in developing your defense. If you have the names of any witnesses, try to get their addresses and telephone numbers.
Whenever you appear in court, show respect for the judge
The way you behave in court can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. It can affect the amount and type of your bail which is set at your preliminary arraignment. The impression you make on the judge can influence whether the judge believes you and your witnesses. Always be calm and polite.
At your preliminary hearing, listen to your attorney
In most cases, your attorney will not have you testify at your preliminary hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to find out what evidence the police have against you. If you testify, the prosecutor will be allowed to ask you questions. This could confuse you or hurt your case later. You should listen carefully and follow the instructions of your attorney.
If you are arrested on other charges, notify the public defender immediately
The Public Defender's Office does not receive any notice of new charges filed against you. If you are contacted by the police, rearrested or receive a summons in the mail concerning new charges, you should contact the Public Defender's Office immediately. If you do not do this, there may not be an attorney present to represent you at the time of your hearing.
If you are released from jail, change your address, or change your telephone number, contact the public defender
It is very important for the public defender to be able to contact you. Whenever there is a change in your status, you should contact the office and let us know where you are. This is very important when we are preparing your defense and may affect the outcome of your case.