Category: Criminal Justice Reform

Full Video: MLK Day Shop Talk!

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Watch the Full Video of our MLK Day Shop Talk event!

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MLK Day Shop Talk Workshops & Highlights:

  • Criminal Record Expungement Information Provided by the Defender Association
  • “School Discipline 101 for Students and Parents” Presented by Ashli Giles-Perkins, Esq., Education Law Center-PA
  • “Critical Race Theory for Students” Presented by Shyann V. Gales-Poland, Esq.
  • “Collective Resistance Through Hip Hop” Presented by Michael Coard, Esq. Nat Turner Law School

ALSO: Our partners, Victoria’s Kitchen and Sicklerville Soul provided FREE meals for Shop Talk attendees!

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Defender Files Amicus Brief: Scott v. PA Board of Probation & Parole

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The Defender Association of Philadelphia has filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiff in Scott v. PA Board of Probation and Parole. The lawsuit, filed in July 2020 by the Abolitionist Law Center, Amistad Law Project, and the Center for Constitutional Rights, is the first case of its kind in the country. It argues that mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole for those who did not kill or intend to kill do not serve any legitimate governmental interest and are illegally cruel under the Pennsylvania Constitution.

The suit was brought by six people serving mandatory life without parole (LWOP). The six individuals are serving LWOP and are denied the possibility for parole due to their convictions for felony murder, even though they themselves did not kill anyone or intend to kill anyone.

The felony murder rule, which exists in forty-four states, holds a person liable for murder if the person participates in a felony that leads to a death, even if the person plays no direct role in the death or does not intend or anticipate it. In Pennsylvania, people found guilty are automatically sentenced to life, and a separate provision of state law prohibits parole eligibility for anyone serving life.

The Defender Association’s amicus brief highlights how paroled juvenile lifers, released after the U.S. Supreme Court decisions held their incarcerations to be unconstitutional, are positively contributing to the community. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will now decide if the lawsuit may proceed.

Read the Defender’s Amicus Brief here.

Additional Info:

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to sentence youth to mandatory life without parole, 541 individuals serving juvenile LWOP became entitled to a new sentencing hearing, with Philadelphia  having the largest group of children (325) serving mandatory LWOP. The Defender devised a three-year plan, worked side by side with court administration, City Council, the DA’s Office, and numerous legal organizations and private firms across the region. The Defender represented 75 percent of Philadelphia’s cases and trained and supported pro bono counsel to handle the remaining 25 percent. Across the Commonwealth to date, 469 former children sentenced to LWOP have been resentenced and 248 released.

 

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Alan Tauber on Worsening Conditions in Philly’s Jails

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PHILADELPHIA–“The Defender Association of Philadelphia stands with the families of the incarcerated, prison employees, activists and concerned community members in decrying the continued deterioration of conditions in our city’s jails.

“The unsafe conditions are the direct result of personnel shortages exacerbated by the pandemic. The only way to increase the safety for the incarcerated and take some of the pressure off prison employees is to safely reduce the prison population.

“To that end, we’ve been working closely with our justice system partners to create a new court program involving pretrial release. We’ve made significant progress, and hope to implement this program soon. Our office continues to work to secure release for individual clients. Anyone who has a loved one who is incarcerated should reach out to our office and speak with an attorney so we can present the best argument possible on their behalf.

“In the meantime, we need to move with a sense of urgency to not only address the health and safety hazards created by prison overcrowding, but also protect the health and wellbeing of the people and communities we serve. This means working  closely with community leaders–particularly from those neighborhoods most impacted by both community violence and incarceration–to find solutions to the root causes of crime.

“We must also continue to build on established partnerships between criminal justice system stakeholders, activists, and advocates to explore community-driven alternatives to detention that promote equity and safety. This includes ensuring people who can be safely released from the jail have access to safe and affordable housing.

“Our work to reunify people with families and communities as we improve conditions in our jails must go hand-in-hand with programs and initiatives that provide brighter futures for the incarcerated and the neighborhoods they return to.”

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Alan Tauber on Passage of “Driving Equality” Bill

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City Council passed the “Driving Equality” bill, which  aims to reduce the vast racial disparity in motor vehicle stops by police

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PHILADELPHIA–“The Defender Association of Philadelphia applauds City Council for passing  the groundbreaking and data-driven ‘Driving Equality’ legislation. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’s bill, which aims to reduce the vast racial disparities in motor vehicle stops by police, is a great first step to building more trust between our police and communities of color. Moreover, it is a bill that will allow law enforcement to divert more resources toward matters that directly impact public safety. 

“The Defender is honored to have had the opportunity to work closely with Councilmember Thomas, and other justice system stakeholders to help shape elements of this bill. We also thank Councilmembers Kenyatta Johnson, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Jamie Gauthier, Kendra Brooks, Maria Quiñones Sánchez, Cherrelle Parker, Curtis Jones and Allan Domb for their leadership in advancing such a pivotal piece of legislation.

“We’re hopeful that passage of the ‘Driving Equality’ bill is just the beginning of informed and meaningful conversations about positive changes to our justice system that will benefit all Philadelphians.” 

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“Back on Track” Program

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]From September 20th thorough September 24th, attorneys from the Defender Association of Philadelphia and private defense bar will be posted in the lobby of the Juanita Kidd Stout Criminal Justice Center (1301 Filbert St.) to help people with open criminal cases learn their next court date, receive service for their next court date, and/or address certain bench warrants for arrest though an expedited hearing process.

People with open criminal cases who aren’t sure their next court date or are concerned they might have already missed a date are encouraged to connect with defense counsel participating in the First Judicial District’s Back on Track Initiative. People with open criminal cases who aren’t sure their next court date or are concerned they might have already missed a date are encouraged to connect with defense counsel participating in the First Judicial District’s Back on Track Initiative.

This program is not intended for people who might have violated conditions of parole, or supervised release, or who are wanted for arrest outside of Philadelphia County.

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Related News Stories about “Back on Track”

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If you are eligible for support from the Back on Track Initiative but aren’t able to come to the Stout Center between Sept. 20-24, call 215-683-7004, 215-683-7005, 215-683-7006, or go to https://www.courts.phila.gov/criminalcalendar/name/ to find your next court date.

You can also find helpful information on the Defender’s Court Status page. 

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Alan Tauber on Philly Prison Conditions

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PHILADELPHIA–“The incidents occurring behind our prison walls are tragic and  unacceptable, but unfortunately, not surprising.

“For over a year, the Defender has been outspoken about the need to address conditions in Philly’s prisons. Since last summer, the  population has swelled by 20 percent which has not been matched with needed staff. As a result, health and safety conditions continue to decline for detainees and prison employees alike. We simply must act with more urgency to come up with solutions to alleviate these problems.

“We have proven that the population can be safely and responsibly lowered to below 4,000. The release program we instituted last year led to millions in savings for the city, the closure of a county jail, and the availability of extra correctional officers at the remaining facilities. We need to return to this initiative immediately.”

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Empowering Communities

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Click the links below to learn more about our efforts to partner with community organizations and improve outcomes for justice-involved people.

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Defenders connect clients to community-based services and supports from the beginning stages of the criminal justice process.

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Participatory defense hubs utilize trained community volunteers to provide insight, perspective, and support to those being charged and their families as they navigate the justice system.

[/ultimate_heading][dt_button link=”https://phillydefenders.org/participatorydefense” button_alignment=”center”]LEARN MORE[/dt_button][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Pre-entry Coalition” main_heading_color=”#1e73be” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:18px;” main_heading_line_height=”desktop:18px;” main_heading_margin=”margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:15px;” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”]

With our community partners, we have developed a blueprint for a pre-trial system that protects due process, and prioritizes community-based supports over cash bail to create a fair, cost-effective system that improves the safety of our communities.

[/ultimate_heading][dt_button link=”https://phillydefenders.org/pre-entry-coalition” button_alignment=”center”]LEARN MORE[/dt_button][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Restorative Response Program” main_heading_color=”#1e73be” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:18px;” main_heading_line_height=”desktop:18px;” main_heading_margin=”margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:15px;” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”]

The Restorative Response Program draws on the tenets of Restorative Justice and emphasizes community re-engagement over criminal punishment

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For questions or additional information about community partnerships, contact Kavita Goyal: KGoyal@philadefender.org

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Restorative Response Days

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TAKE PART IN OUR RESTORATIVE RESPONSE DAYS! 

During Restorative Response Days, you can complete your 8 hours within one or two days with one of our trusted community partners!

Scroll the list below or click here to download a printable list of community partners who are looking forward to working with you!

Questions? Email Kavita Goyal: kgoyal@philadefender.org

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][dt_button link=”https://phillydefenders.org/rr” target_blank=”true” button_alignment=”center” size=”big”]CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE RESTORATIVE RESPONSE PROGRAM[/dt_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDY2VudGVyJTNFJTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkb2NzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20lMkZkb2N1bWVudCUyRmQlMkZlJTJGMlBBQ1gtMXZTQUlmckVyY2t1dGppel84MEhDbjZtRUR5a3IxZ21sR1BnTXVhN3FabEc3Zm5wcE8xbVFQcE9WU0lLNjluclg5Y0MzWGRsM0tuSmxueUQlMkZwdWIlM0ZlbWJlZGRlZCUzRHRydWUlMjIlMjB3aWR0aCUzRCUyMjEwMDAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIxNDAwJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNFJTNDJTJGY2VudGVyJTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Follow us: @PhillyDefenders