There is a support staff consisting of investigators, paraprofessionals, secretaries, and a deputy administrator. Currently, there are 24 assistant public defenders: In Lancaster County, the County Commissioners appoint a chief public defender, who is full-time. In many states, the public defender is a statewide entity with local branches in the governmental subdivisions, such as counties. The public defender in Philadelphia is an association which is not part of the county or state government. In Pennsylvania, there is a statute requiring all counties except Philadelphia to create and fund a public defender's system.
