April is 2nd Chance Month!
April is 2nd chance month, and at the Defender, giving our clients a second chance at a better future is a year-long mission! In addition to providing high-quality legal representation in the courtroom, we offer opportunities and information on criminal record expungements and probation terminations.
Expungement request are the primary request from our Philadelphia community. At every community event we attend we offer one-on-one expungement clinics with our staff attorneys. In 2019 alone, we filed 405 new expungement petitions and saw 438 of our petitions granted by the courts.
An expungement is an order that requires state and local criminal justice agencies to erase something from a record. We offer our clients the opportunity to apply for criminal record expungements using via our website. Defender attorneys also do in-person expungement applications at public events like Defender Days, criminal justice workshops, block parties and more.
Expungement request are the primary request from our Philadelphia community. At every community event we attend we offer one-on-one expungement clinics with our staff attorneys. In 2019 alone, we filed 405 new expungement petitions and saw 438 of our petitions granted by the courts.
An expungement order directs the court to treat the criminal conviction as if it had never occurred, removing it from a person’s public record. These court orders are not automatic – a petition must be filed to start the process. The Defender Association files these petitions for our clients.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JUVENILE EXPUNGEMENTS
The Defender offers probation termination services for clients. To be eligible, clients MUST BE COMPLIANT with their probation conditions, including reporting to their probation officer, attending mandated treatment appointments and paying fines and fees (if able).
Are you passionate about advocating for others and making a difference in your community? ⚖️
We’re hiring! Join our team at the Defender Association of Philadelphia as an Immigration Attorney or Assistant Managing Director of the Child Advocacy Unit.
🔗 Visit the link below to learn more and apply!
phillydefenders.org/careers/#become-a-defender
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Celebrating the People Behind the Work!
We’re proud to recognize our Philly Defenders making an impact both inside and outside the courtroom!
👏 Our People & Culture team, led by Bevie Burke, was named a finalist for the HR Award for Excellence in Wellness, recognizing their commitment to supporting employee well-being.
⚖️ Attorneys Mike Sontchi and Adrienne Winney also represented Philly Defenders at the annual statewide juvenile defender training, sharing their expertise on sentencing guidelines, ethical advocacy, and diversion.
Different roles, shared mission: strengthening our organization, supporting our communities, and advancing justice across Pennsylvania.
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Your voice matters. Your vote matters. 🗳️
Make your voice heard at the polls today!
In observance of Election Day, Defender Association of Philadelphia offices will close at 3 PM. 💙💛
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Your voice matters. Your vote matters. 🗳️
Make your voice heard at the polls today!
In observance of Election Day, our offices will close at 3 PM and reopen tomorrow at 10 AM💙💛
Your voice matters. Your vote matters. 🗳️
Make your voice heard at the polls today!
In observance of Election Day, our offices will close at 3 PM and reopen tomorrow at 10 AM💙💛
IKYMI: Celebrating the swearing-in of our newest Fall Class attorneys! ⚖️
As they take the next step in their legal careers, we’re proud to welcome a new generation of advocates committed to protecting rights and serving Philadelphia’s communities. 💙 #PhillyDefenders
IKYMI: Celebrating the swearing-in of our newest Fall Class attorneys! ⚖️
As they take the next step in their legal careers, we’re proud to welcome a new generation of advocates committed to protecting rights and serving Philadelphia’s communities. 💙 #PhillyDefenders
A lack of resources has left too many people without legal representation.
Right now, our office can only represent 1 in 5 people who need immigration legal assistance. Far too many individuals and families are being left on their own to navigate a complex and increasingly cruel system.
Our systems is only fair when everyone has access to legal counsel. Representation helps protect people’s rights, keeps families together, and ensures that EVERYONE, including noncitizens, gets a fair hearing
Without proper investment in legal services, the right to due process is a hollow promise. Read the full @phillytrib article- link in bio. #ICE #IMMIGRATION #philly #phillynews
A lack of resources has left too many people without legal representation.
Right now, our office can only represent 1 in 5 people who need immigration legal assistance. Far too many individuals and families are being left on their own to navigate a complex and increasingly cruel system.
Our systems is only fair when everyone has access to legal counsel. Representation helps protect people’s rights, keeps families together, and ensures that EVERYONE, including noncitizens, gets a fair hearing
Without proper investment in legal services, the right to due process is a hollow promise. Read the full @phillytrib article- link in bio. #ICE #IMMIGRATION #philly #phillynews
A day of learning, connection, and advocacy! 💙
We were excited to welcome the next generation of social workers to Philly Defenders for our biannual Social Work Student Day!
Throughout the day, students connected with our team, learned about the critical role of social work in public defense, and gained a deeper understanding of how we advocate for and support our clients beyond the courtroom.
By connecting with future social workers, we’re helping inspire the next generation of advocates committed to strengthening communities and advancing client-centered defense.
Thank you to all the students who joined us! 💙
A day of learning, connection, and advocacy! 💙
We were excited to welcome the next generation of social workers to Philly Defenders for our biannual Social Work Student Day!
Throughout the day, students connected with our team, learned about the critical role of social work in public defense, and gained a deeper understanding of how we advocate for and support our clients beyond the courtroom.
By connecting with future social workers, we’re helping inspire the next generation of advocates committed to strengthening communities and advancing client-centered defense.
Thank you to all the students who joined us! 💙
Immigration enforcement impacts entire families and communities—not just individuals.
Philly Defenders’ Immigration Defense Program is fighting back. Since February, our team has filed 400 petitions in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, helping free 300 immigrants from detention.
Every release means someone can return home, reunite with loved ones, and continue building their life.
Learn more about our work or donate to support immigrant defense.
🔗Link in bio.
Immigration enforcement impacts entire families and communities—not just individuals.
Philly Defenders’ Immigration Defense Program is fighting back. Since February, our team has filed 400 petitions in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, helping free 300 immigrants from detention.
Every release means someone can return home, reunite with loved ones, and continue building their life.
Learn more about our work or donate to support immigrant defense.
🔗Link in bio.
🚨 WE’RE HIRING! 🚨
Are you passionate about empowering young people and making a difference in your community? We’re looking for a Reentry Social Service Advocate to join our team!
In this role, you’ll help justice-involved youth successfully transition back into their communities by providing individualized reentry plans, connecting them with essential resources, and supporting their long-term success.
🔗 Visit www.phillydefenders.org to learn more and apply!
#PhillyDefenders #WereHiring #PhiladelphiaJobs #YouthAdvocacy #ReentryServices
🚨 WE’RE HIRING! 🚨
Are you passionate about empowering young people and making a difference in your community? We’re looking for a Reentry Social Service Advocate to join our team!
In this role, you’ll help justice-involved youth successfully transition back into their communities by providing individualized reentry plans, connecting them with essential resources, and supporting their long-term success.
🔗 Visit www.phillydefenders.org to learn more and apply!
#PhillyDefenders #WereHiring #PhiladelphiaJobs #YouthAdvocacy #ReentryServices
Wrapping up Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the Latino voices helping strengthen public defense and advocate for immigrant communities across Philadelphia! 💙
As part of our “My Heritage Shapes My Work” series, we’re highlighting Edison Lopez, Unit coordinator of our Community Defense Unit, and the role his heritage plays in shaping his work and commitment to our communities.
We’re proud to recognize the individuals who help advance our mission of protecting rights, supporting families, and ensuring access to compassionate, effective advocacy.
🔗 Hit the link in our bio to learn more about our Immigration Defense Program and available resources.
#philly #hispanicheritagemonth #immigration
Wrapping up Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the Latino voices helping strengthen public defense and advocate for immigrant communities across Philadelphia! 💙
As part of our “My Heritage Shapes My Work” series, we’re highlighting Edison Lopez, Unit coordinator of our Community Defense Unit, and the role his heritage plays in shaping his work and commitment to our communities.
We’re proud to recognize the individuals who help advance our mission of protecting rights, supporting families, and ensuring access to compassionate, effective advocacy.
🔗 Hit the link in our bio to learn more about our Immigration Defense Program and available resources.
#philly #hispanicheritagemonth #immigration
Behind every case is a person, a family, and a future worth fighting for. 💙
Access to quality legal representation can mean the difference between incarceration and a second chance. When public defense is underfunded, it’s our communities that feel the impact.
In a new op-ed for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson highlights what’s at stake for thousands of Pennsylvanians and the importance of protecting access to justice across the Commonwealth.
🔗 Read the full op-ed at the link in our bio.
#Philly #Fundpublicdefense #Phillynews
Behind every case is a person, a family, and a future worth fighting for. 💙
Access to quality legal representation can mean the difference between incarceration and a second chance. When public defense is underfunded, it’s our communities that feel the impact.
In a new op-ed for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson highlights what’s at stake for thousands of Pennsylvanians and the importance of protecting access to justice across the Commonwealth.
🔗 Read the full op-ed at the link in our bio.
#Philly #Fundpublicdefense #Phillynews