Category: Community Partnerships

April 29: Level Up ⬆ Southwest!

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Join on Saturday, April 29 at The Common Place/Salt & Light for “Level Up Southwest!”

Defender attorneys will be providing #expungement services* at this #community event, which also features:

  • A WILLS WORKSHOP
  • EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
  • PROPERTY TAX HELP
  • U.S. CITIZENSHIP ELIGIBILITY SCREENING
  • CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES; and
  • FREE FOOD!

Pre-registration for the record-clearing workshop is encouraged, but NOT REQUIRED.

Click here to download the event flyer. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Testimony: Committee on Gun Violence Prevention

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[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1681765453980{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]On April 17, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson presented testimony before City Council’s Committee on Gun Violence Prevention. The Defender’s testimony offered data and proposed solutions on ways to address the conditions that push too many of Philadelphia’s young people toward gun possession.

Watch Keisha’s testimony below, and click here to read the full written testimony submitted to City Council. submitted by the Defender.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1681765467994{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/818504697″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Request a Defender for Your Event!

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”FILL OUT OUR COMMUNITY EVENT INFO FORM” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2FUymYaW6wNjBCmDyz6||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our attorneys and staff are in the community, doing everything from conducting “Know Your Systems” workshops to taking criminal record expungement applications. You can join us at our own events, like Shop Talks and Community Office Hours, or find our table at block parties and other community events.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_height=”yes” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”id^147294|url^https://phillydefenders.org//www/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A1439611-53E8-4066-A44A-2556950A3E5F.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^A1439611-53E8-4066-A44A-2556950A3E5F|description^null” bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_image_size=”contain” bg_img_attach=”fixed”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”300″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you or your organization has an upcoming event, and you would like the Defender Association to provide resources and info for your attendees, please fill out our request form so we can add it to our calendar![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”FILL OUT OUR COMMUNITY EVENT INFO FORM” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2FUymYaW6wNjBCmDyz6||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Keisha Hudson on First Year of Driving Equality Law

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Driving Equality has had a significant impact in cutting down racially-motivated pretextual stops, and no negative impact on public safety.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]PHILADELPHIA–“The Defender Association of Philadelphia joins Councilmember Isaiah Thomas in celebration of the one year anniversary of the Driving Equality Law, and thanks him for his vision and leadership in making this law a reality in Philadelphia.

“I also want to highlight the Defender’s Police Accountability Unit for the outstanding work they’ve done to compile and analyze the data that guides the purpose of this law–reducing the number of unnecessary, negative encounters between police and community members. The data is clear: Driving Equality has had a significant impact in cutting down racially-motivated pretextual stops, while having no negative impact on public safety.

“To truly appreciate Driving Equality, we should look beyond what the law does, and celebrate the thoughtful, evidence-based and collaborative approach to its creation. Driving Equality didn’t just happen–it is the culmination of months of debate, discussion and collaboration between City leaders, the Defender Association, the police and the community. Driving Equality is being studied and replicated by other American cities because it’s a great example of a ‘good government’ law that takes a balanced, data-driven approach to public safety and racial justice.

“The Defender Association is proud to be recognized for our subject matter expertise in this area, and are thankful for the opportunity we’ve been given to work with Councilmember Thomas and his team on this now nationally recognized model legislation.

“We’re committed to working together with elected leaders, justice system and community stakeholders on future endeavors to increase trust and cooperation between Philadelphia residents and institutions.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating one year of Driving Equality, and hope that this law is the first of many legislative initiatives aimed at making Philadelphia a more just and safe city.”

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Defender Days

Posted on by 2010admin

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The Defender Association and Councilmember Cindy Bass have partnered to offer the clinic to Philadelphians interested in clearing their criminal records.

At “Defender Days,” people will be able to discuss their criminal cases for FREE with Defender Association attorneys, who will also screen clients for eligibility for criminal record expungements for arrests that took place in Philadelphia.

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Defender Day Schedule:

Defender Days take place on the first Tuesday of every month at Nicetown Court Apartments, 4340 Germantown Avenue. Here’s a schedule of upcoming events: 

  • Tuesday, March 14
  • Tuesday, April 11
  • Tuesday, May 9
  • Tuesday, June 13

Download and Share the Defender Days Flyer!

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MORE INFO:

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”32″][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1676572246878{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #c0eefd !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][ult_buttons btn_title=”EXPUNGEMENTS” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fphillydefenders.org%2Fexpungement-info%2F|title:Defender%20Expungement%20Services||” btn_align=”ubtn-center” btn_title_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_color=”#0061b9″ btn_hover=”ubtn-fade-bg” icon_size=”32″ btn_icon_pos=”ubtn-sep-icon-at-left” btn_font_family=”font_family:Poppins|font_call:Poppins|variant:600″ btn_font_style=”font-weight:600;”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][ult_buttons btn_title=”PROBATION TERMINATION” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fphillydefenders.org%2Fprobation-termination%2F|title:Defender%20Expungement%20Services||” btn_align=”ubtn-center” btn_title_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_color=”#0061b9″ btn_hover=”ubtn-fade-bg” icon_size=”32″ btn_icon_pos=”ubtn-sep-icon-at-left” btn_font_family=”font_family:Poppins|font_call:Poppins|variant:600″ btn_font_style=”font-weight:600;”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][ult_buttons btn_title=”STATUS OF MY CASE?” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fphillydefenders.org%2Fmycase%2F|title:Defender%20Expungement%20Services||” btn_align=”ubtn-center” btn_title_color=”#ffffff” btn_bg_color=”#0061b9″ btn_hover=”ubtn-fade-bg” icon_size=”32″ btn_icon_pos=”ubtn-sep-icon-at-left” btn_font_family=”font_family:Poppins|font_call:Poppins|variant:600″ btn_font_style=”font-weight:600;”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Black History Month Racial Justice Screening Series

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The Defender & Nat Turner Law School are hosting special screenings and discussions centered on promoting antiracism in our justice system.

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Want to participate remotely in any of the panel discussions on these films? Register using the links below

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February 9, 12 – 2 pm:

“Deeply Rooted: When the King Comes Home” (Watch here)

Panel: Radee Hammett and Michael Coard

 

February 16, 12 – 3 pm:

“Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America” (Watch at PBS.org)

Panel led by: Michael Coard

Register here to join the discussion

 

February 22, 12 – 3 pm:

“Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America” (Watch on Netflix)

Panel: Timothy Welbeck and Michael Coard

Register here to join the discussion

 

February 27, 12 – 1:30 pm:

“57 Blocks: a Defender Jawn”

Panel: Christina Tavares, Mary Archer, Radi Allah, Guy Lang and Michael Coard

Register here to join the discussion

 

February 28, 12 – 3 pm:

“Just Mercy” (Watch on HBO Max)

Panel: Michael Coard, Maleeka Jihad and Keisha Hudson

Register here to join the discussion[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Junior Defender Program

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About the Junior Defender Program

The Junior Defender Program coordinates with school administrators to reach out to students in neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system. The program provides these students with a foundational understanding of the youth justice system in Philadelphia.

We work alongside middle and high school students to develop age-appropriate and culturally responsive teaching materials that will improve our young clients’ understanding of youth justice system and court-ordered obligations. 

The goal of the program is to reduce the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline, and instead build a pipeline of young people interested in pursuing careers dedicated to the legal defense of adjudicated youth.

The videos below are one of the ways we introduce students to the issues and topics discussed in our Junior Defender sessions: [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1663263795856{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1663263761326{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/j9Bc5FEYjZM” title=”Junior Defender: Intro Video”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/xWVLFqOOKmo” title=”Junior Defender: Treat Kids Like Kids!”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1663264338235{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #c0eefd !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

To learn more about the Junior Defender Program, Contact Guy Lang (glang@philadefender.org)

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Defender Statement on Conditions at JJSC

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PHILADELPHIA–“The Defender Association of Philadelphia shares the serious concerns of City Council and our community partners about the unsafe conditions in the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (JJSC).

“Conditions at the JJSC, where our young people are held pending resolution of their cases, are unsafe for the youth, the counselors who supervise the young people housed there, and the medical staff, attorneys, educators, and other supportive professionals who enter the facility every day to serve the children in the facility. Insufficient staffing and overpopulation has limited the children’s access to medical care and educational services, and contributed to multiple reports of assaults among those being held there.

“But simply transporting young people who are waiting for placements, without addressing the underlying needs of the detained population, will not improve the situation. As the legal representatives of many of these children, the Defender recommends that we:

  • be more thoughtful about who is being sentenced to these placements – often located hours away from the young person’s home, school, and community;
  • be more judicious in the use of the detention center to house children with pending charges or other alleged infractions; 
  • make sure we’re making the best use of the alternatives to detention, like GPS monitoring and reporting centers that are available; and finally,
  • partner with community-based organizations here in Philadelphia to connect youth and their families with critically needed wraparound services.

“Many young people at the JJSC  have been detained for periods that are longer than  programs they would be sentenced to complete. They should be home, attending school, and receiving direct supports and services–not continuing to be exposed to ongoing traumas in an overcrowded and understaffed facility.”

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October 22: La Fiesta De La Oportunidad

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1666114838863{background-color: #fffc05 !important;}”]Pre-Registration for this event is encouraged for those interested in criminal record expungements. Click here to register.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1666114930399{background-color: #000000 !important;}”]

WHEN: Saturday, October 22, from 11 am to 5 pm

WHERE: Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 N. 5th Street

Defender attorneys will be doing free criminal record expungements, and our community partners will provide the celebration! Come out for expungements and Latino food, music and art![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Next Shop Talk: September 30 @ Philadelphia Hair Company

Posted on by 2010admin

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Click here to Download & Share the Event Flyer

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Don’t Miss Our Next Shop Talk Event: Pardon Us [God Did]

WHEN: Saturday, September 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Philadelphia Hair Company, 5805 Germantown Avenue

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Join us at the Philadelphia Hair Company for FREE community resources, support and information to help you navigate our criminal justice system:
  • Adult & Juvenile Criminal Record Expungements
  • Pardon application support for Marijuana Convictions
  • Information on the School-to-Prison Pipeline
  • And more! 

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Click here to Download & Share the Event Flyer

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Follow us: @PhillyDefenders