The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania is authorized under Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, the Criminal Justice Act, to provide legal representation to persons financially unable to retain counsel in federal criminal and related proceedings. We handle federal trials, direct appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, petitions for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, habeas corpus petitions, and related proceedings on behalf of our clients. Representation includes counsel and investigative, expert and other services, as necessary to meet the demands of the case and the needs of the client.
Our office includes the Federal Public Defender, the First Assistant Federal Defender, and attorneys known as Assistant Federal Public Defenders. In addition to our attorneys, we have a host of talented administrative staff, paralegals, investigators, social workers, and information technology experts. Throughout its history, our office has drawn its staff from many of the best and brightest from other public defender offices, law firms, and public-interest organizations.
We are proud of our commitment to our clients as individuals. We are morally and ethically bound to zealously fight on their behalf. That dedication to our clients is at the center of everything we do.
In addition to serving our clients, the Federal Public Defender provides support and training to the district’s Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”) Panel, a group of qualified private attorneys approved by the district court to receive appointments in federal criminal cases. We seek to promote excellence in the federal criminal defense bar more broadly by providing litigation support and education on issues in the ever-evolving federal legal landscape.
Where We Serve
The Federal Public Defender main office is located in Pittsburgh. Our Pittsburgh office serves the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington, and Westmoreland. Pittsburgh also houses the Capital Habeas Unit (CHU). The CHU represents state death row inmates in federal habeas corpus proceedings at both the federal district and appellate court levels.
The Erie branch office serves the following counties: Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Venango, and Warren. Attorney supervision is handled through Pittsburgh, with administrative support provided by a branch office paralegal.
The Johnstown branch office serves the following counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, and Somerset. Attorney supervision and administrative support is handled through Pittsburgh.
Our Mission
We are committed to providing excellent legal representation and advice to people facing the criminal justice system. Our dedication to protecting the rights of our clients and promoting their human dignity is central to our work and purpose. We share a vision of fairness to all, and pledge to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in our practice, and within our office family.
Our Practice Areas
Trial Unit
Our Trial Unit attorneys represent people accused of committing federal crimes in the Western District of Pennsylvania who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Our representation begins at the initial appearance through court appointment and continues through sentencing, if any. The Trial Unit employs a team approach including attorneys, investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals to vigorously protect our clients’ rights and obtain the best and fairest result possible in every case.
Appeals & Non-Capital Habeas Unit
The Appeals and Non-Capital Habeas Unit handles direct appeals of convictions and sentences in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and federal habeas corpus proceedings in both the district court and the Court of Appeals. We also file petitions for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court and handle the briefing and argument if the Court grants review. In addition, the Appeals and Non-Capital Habeas Unit is heavily involved in training and case consultation for our Trial Unit and the district’s CJA Panel.
Capital Habeas Unit
Our Capital Habeas Unit represents state and federally death-sentenced prisoners in post-conviction proceedings throughout Pennsylvania and, in some instances, jurisdictions outside of Pennsylvania. Our CHU employs a comprehensive team approach including attorneys, investigators, mitigation specialists, experts, and paralegals to offer our clients the highest quality of representation under the most challenging of circumstances. The CHU regularly litigates in the federal district court, courts of appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.