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June Recap 🌟

June was filled with opportunities to serve, connect, and celebrate our community. From community outreach with @reentryphila_ and @phlcouncilpresident violence prevention initiatives to honoring a remarkable 44-year career, we’re proud to continue showing up for Philadelphia, both inside and outside the courtroom.

Swipe through some of the moments that defined the month. 💛⚖️

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June Recap 🌟

June was filled with opportunities to serve, connect, and celebrate our community. From community outreach with @reentryphila_ and @phlcouncilpresident violence prevention initiatives to honoring a remarkable 44-year career, we’re proud to continue showing up for Philadelphia, both inside and outside the courtroom.

Swipe through some of the moments that defined the month. 💛⚖️ ...

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Beginning July 1, several changes to Philly Defender services take effect.

We’re doing this to ensure we can keep delivering high-quality representation while maintaining sustainable workloads for the attorneys and staff who serve our clients every day.

Effective July 1:
⚖️ Emergency Bail Hearings will be discontinued.
🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Staffing for 6G (Family Court) will be reduced.
📁 Post-preliminary hearing Defender appointments will only be scheduled after a hearing on ability to pay.
📆 VOP appointments will no longer be accepted if another attorney handled the original trial.

Want to know more? Click the link in our bio to join our Action Network and get updates delivered to your inbox!🔗
#phillynews #publicdefense #philly

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Beginning July 1, several changes to Philly Defender services take effect.

We’re doing this to ensure we can keep delivering high-quality representation while maintaining sustainable workloads for the attorneys and staff who serve our clients every day.

Effective July 1:
⚖️ Emergency Bail Hearings will be discontinued.
🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Staffing for 6G (Family Court) will be reduced.
📁 Post-preliminary hearing Defender appointments will only be scheduled after a hearing on ability to pay.
📆 VOP appointments will no longer be accepted if another attorney handled the original trial.

Want to know more? Click the link in our bio to join our Action Network and get updates delivered to your inbox!🔗
#phillynews #publicdefense #philly ...

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This past May, Peer Advocate Duane Price graduated from Temple University’s College of Public Health and was selected as a keynote speaker for the Class of 2026.

Having once benefited from many of the same support systems he now helps others navigate, Duane understands firsthand the power of advocacy, opportunity, and community. Today, he serves as a Peer Advocate for our Child Advocacy Unit, using his lived experience to support youth involved in the child welfare system while continuing to pursue his own educational goals.

His journey is a testament to what is possible when people are given the support they need to succeed, and how that success can come full circle through service to others.

Congratulations, Duane. We’re proud to have you on our team and honored to celebrate this incredible milestone. 🎓✨ #templeuniversity #phillyyouth #socicalwork #clienttestimonials

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This past May, Peer Advocate Duane Price graduated from Temple University’s College of Public Health and was selected as a keynote speaker for the Class of 2026.

Having once benefited from many of the same support systems he now helps others navigate, Duane understands firsthand the power of advocacy, opportunity, and community. Today, he serves as a Peer Advocate for our Child Advocacy Unit, using his lived experience to support youth involved in the child welfare system while continuing to pursue his own educational goals.

His journey is a testament to what is possible when people are given the support they need to succeed, and how that success can come full circle through service to others.

Congratulations, Duane. We’re proud to have you on our team and honored to celebrate this incredible milestone. 🎓✨ #templeuniversity #phillyyouth #socicalwork #clienttestimonials ...

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Safer communities start with trust.💙

As the federal government challenges Philly’s ICE Out law, Philly Defenders supports policies that ensure people can access courts, schools, hospitals, and essential services without fear. We believe access to justice, public trust, and due process make our communities stronger.

Hit the link in bio to read our full statement. 🔗
#immigration #ICE #phillynews

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Safer communities start with trust.💙

As the federal government challenges Philly’s ICE Out law, Philly Defenders supports policies that ensure people can access courts, schools, hospitals, and essential services without fear. We believe access to justice, public trust, and due process make our communities stronger.

Hit the link in bio to read our full statement. 🔗
#immigration #ICE #phillynews ...

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How much do you know about Black legal history? 🤔
To celebrate Juneteenth, our Communications Intern hit Temple’s campus to quiz students on Black legal facts and landmark court cases.

Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the ongoing fight for justice and equality. Public defenders help carry that work forward by protecting constitutional rights and ensuring access to legal representation for all. Happy Juneteenth from the Defender Association of Philadelphia. ❤️🖤💚

#Juneteenth #PublicDefense #CivilRights #JusticeForAll #PhillyDefenders

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How much do you know about Black legal history? 🤔
To celebrate Juneteenth, our Communications Intern hit Temple’s campus to quiz students on Black legal facts and landmark court cases.

Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the ongoing fight for justice and equality. Public defenders help carry that work forward by protecting constitutional rights and ensuring access to legal representation for all. Happy Juneteenth from the Defender Association of Philadelphia. ❤️🖤💚

#Juneteenth #PublicDefense #CivilRights #JusticeForAll #PhillyDefenders ...

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This is why funding public defense matters. Public defense is public safety.⚖️✨

Prosecutors dismiss at least 24 firearms cases after our Police Accountability Unit uncovered evidence that Philadelphia police officers were allegedly engaging in unlawful stops targeting Black men.

Public defenders do more than represent clients in court. We investigate, challenge unconstitutional practices, hold systems accountable, and protect the rights of the communities we serve. That work requires resources.

Special thanks to Police Accountability Unit attorneys Mike Mellon and Paula Sen for their dedication and advocacy.
Read the full story from @phillyinquirer at the link in our bio. 🔗

#FundPublicDefense #PublicDefense #PoliceAccountability #CivilRights #Philadelphia PhillyDefenders

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This is why funding public defense matters. Public defense is public safety.⚖️✨

Prosecutors dismiss at least 24 firearms cases after our Police Accountability Unit uncovered evidence that Philadelphia police officers were allegedly engaging in unlawful stops targeting Black men.

Public defenders do more than represent clients in court. We investigate, challenge unconstitutional practices, hold systems accountable, and protect the rights of the communities we serve. That work requires resources.

Special thanks to Police Accountability Unit attorneys Mike Mellon and Paula Sen for their dedication and advocacy.
Read the full story from @phillyinquirer at the link in our bio. 🔗

#FundPublicDefense #PublicDefense #PoliceAccountability #CivilRights #Philadelphia PhillyDefenders ...

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This Pride Month, we’re highlighting three of our community partners who do a great job of providing support, resources, healthcare, advocacy, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and families across Philadelphia.

🌈 The Attic Youth Center
🌈 GALAEI
🌈 Mazzoni Center

Learn more about these organizations and follow us for information and resources that support the communities we serve.

#PrideMonth #Philadelphia #LGBTQ #CommunityPartners #PhillyDefenders PrideInPhilly

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This Pride Month, we’re highlighting three of our community partners who do a great job of providing support, resources, healthcare, advocacy, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and families across Philadelphia.

🌈 The Attic Youth Center
🌈 GALAEI
🌈 Mazzoni Center

Learn more about these organizations and follow us for information and resources that support the communities we serve.

#PrideMonth #Philadelphia #LGBTQ #CommunityPartners #PhillyDefenders PrideInPhilly ...

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UPDATE: We were flat funded in the city’s FY27 budget. That’s a $0 budget increase.

While the District Attorney’s Office, the Courts, and the Police Department all received additional funding, public defenders were left behind.

As caseloads and client needs continue to grow, this decision will impact our ability to maintain staffing levels, support court operations, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Read Chief Defender Keisha Hudson’s full statement at the link in our bio.🔗
#phillynews #fy27budget #fundpublicdefense

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UPDATE: We were flat funded in the city’s FY27 budget. That’s a $0 budget increase.

While the District Attorney’s Office, the Courts, and the Police Department all received additional funding, public defenders were left behind.

As caseloads and client needs continue to grow, this decision will impact our ability to maintain staffing levels, support court operations, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Read Chief Defender Keisha Hudson’s full statement at the link in our bio.🔗
#phillynews #fy27budget #fundpublicdefense ...

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Press Release: FY27 Changes to Defender Services

Testimony in Support of a Child Welfare Commission

Statement on Challenge to Philly’s “ICE Out” Law

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