YORK COUNTY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER

General Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bruce P. Blocher
Chief Public Defender

Clasina B. Houtman
First Assistant

45 North George Street, York, PA 17401
Phone : 717-771-9217 
Fax: 717-771-4759

Welcome to the York County Public Defender's Office. Our office is dedicated to providing competent and effective legal representation to indigent adults and minors in the County of York who are charged with criminal offenses and contempt proceedings in which they could face loss of liberty.

At present, the office is staffed by the Chief Public Defender, the First Assistant, two Chief Deputy Public Defenders and 19 Assistant Public Defenders.

Chief Public Defender Bruce P. Blocher has worked in the office since 1991, and has been Chief since 1996, when he was appointed by the York County Commissioners.   He has spent his time in the office tirelessly working to provide representation to indigent defendants.   Chief Public Defender Bruce Blocher received his undergraduate degree from the Pennsylvania State University and his law degree from Oklahoma City University.

For information about who qualifies for representation by the Public Defender's Office and how and when you can apply, please see the links below.