On October 15, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson joined Senator Vincent Hughes and Salewa Ogunmefun, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Voices on Sen. Hughes’s “Philly Speaks” radio program. The group discussed why voting matters when it comes to our judicial system. Click below to listen to the full segment.
Category: Legal Practice Units
Video: PAU’s Mike Mellon on PhillyCAM
On October 2, the Defenders’ Police Accountability Unit Chief Mike Mellon spoke with Danielle Wilson on PhillyCAM about some of the issues related to policing and public safety in Philadelphia.
Learn More About the Police Accountability Unit
Watch the video below:
Video: Why Black & Brown Public Defenders are Crucial
We represent 70% of the people accused of crimes in Philadelphia. An overwhelming majority of these are Black and Brown people. Having Black & Brown attorneys and staff is a crucial part of ensuring that we not only understand their legal cases, but who they are as people and the communities they come from.
Watch this amazing video produced by Defender Mitigation Specialist Donte Green to hear from Defender attorneys and staff about why you should join our team if you want to make a difference in the lives of our BIPOC clients.
Keisha Hudson on “New Thinking” Podcast
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1680725922471{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1680725939247{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/815053902″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]
Listen to a snippet from Keisha Hudson here
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Chief Defender Keisha Hudson joins Michigan Law’s Eve Primus, and Brooklyn Law Center’s Alexis Hoag-Fordjour to discuss the groundbreaking yet unfulfilled legacy of Gideon v. Wainwright.
Listen to the full podcast below:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Social Workers Break Barriers!
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1678988099200{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #0061b9 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
During Social Work Month 2023, watch and learn how the Defender’s team of social workers breaks barriers for our clients and their families!
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1678986953719{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1678986889921{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1678986939798{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1678987014142{padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Defender Expungement Services
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1651607872955{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Defender provides criminal record expungement services for our adult and juvenile clients.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Adult Record Expungement
An expungement is an order that requires state and local criminal justice agencies to erase something from a record. To be eligible for our services you must:
- Have an ADULT criminal record in Philadelphia (we cannot handle cases in other counties or states). If you have a juvenile record and you want to see if it can be expunged, please call 267-765-6770, or visit our Juvenile Expungement page
- Have been represented by the Defender Association in your matter(s)
- Not have any open cases or currently be supervised on probation or parole.
If you want to get your adult criminal record expunged:
- You can send us an email: Expungement@philadefender.org; or
- fill out the expungement request form on our website here
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1651607862512{margin-top: 30px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Juvenile Record Expungement
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.
If you have questions about an expungement you can:
- Call us at 267-765-6770;
- email us at CYJ_Expungements@philadefender.org; or
- Fill out the online juvenile expungement request form on our website here
Learn more about juvenile record expungement here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Job Opening: Trial Attorney
Job Summary
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is seeking an experienced trial attorney to join our organization’s criminal trial practice divisions. The Defender Association of Philadelphia is a non-profit law firm serving the clients in the city of Philadelphia. Defender attorneys are part of a dynamic team that includes social workers, paralegals, mitigation specialists, investigators, and administrative professionals who play critical roles serving our clients and communities. Complementing our trial practice, the Defender Association focuses on meeting the needs of clients pre-trial and following incarceration.
Our office represents 70% of people charged with crimes in Philadelphia. We are comprised of various practice units wherein we provide representation beginning at the preliminary arraignment through the appellate process. We employ a client centered representation model which includes providing clients with zealous advocacy in the courtroom and partnering with our community through Participatory Defense, expungement clinics and other community-based events.
Responsibilities
- Handle all aspects of client representation in the Philadelphia Criminal Courts, including but not limited to preliminary hearings, motions, waiver trials, jury trials, and violations of probation
- Maintain and manage an adult criminal caseload within the assigned trial unit. This involves specially-assigned, complex cases of all types, including cases where clients are charged with violent and sexual offenses
- Draft, file, and argue all necessary motions and memoranda of law
- Interview clients over the telephone, in-person, and at county and state correctional institutions
- Engage in holistic representation practices that assist the client in collateral matters that may impact the direct legal representation of the client
- Maintain a professional team-oriented work atmosphere with other attorneys, social workers, investigators and administrative staff within the unit, and all other units at the Defender Association.
Qualifications and Experience
- Juris Doctor degree and admission to the PA Bar
- Minimum of three years’ experience providing direct legal representation to individuals involved in the criminal justice system, including litigating complex felony cases
- Jury trial experience preferred
- A demonstrated interest in and commitment to the representation of individuals within the criminal justice system
- Ability to adapt to changing needs of the Defender Association and to work collaboratively with all Defender staff
TO APPLY E-MAIL A RESUME, COVER LETTER AND WRITING SAMPLE TO: Lori Mach: LMach@philadefender.org
To see more job openings, visit the Defender’s Careers Page
Full Video: “Rage of Innocence” Webinar
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1644277270473{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #000000 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Watch the full video from our Feb. 17 Webinar with Chief Defender Keisha Hudson and Professor Kristin Henning!
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/DjgSBBDQKa0″ el_width=”90″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1644277087522{background-color: #ffde59 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Thursday, February 17:
Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth.
Join us via Zoom on February 17 for a timely and important discussion of our criminal justice system as Chief Defender Keisha Hudson speaks with Georgetown Law Professor Kristin Henning. They’ll be discussing Professor Henning’s book, Rage of Innocence-How America Criminalizes Black Youth.
Read more about Professor Hennings’s book here
Learn more about Kristin Henning here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Keisha Hudson on WURD – December 13, 2021
On December 13, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson talked with WURD’s Andrea Lawful Sanders about her new role and vision for the Defender. Click below to listen
Sarah Allen Named First Assistant Defender
Sarah Allen Named First Assistant Defender
PHILADELPHIA–The Defender Association today announced that Sarah Allen will be the new First Assistant Defender. Allen, a 23-year veteran of the Defender Association, is currently the Chief of the Municipal Court Pre-trial unit and is responsible for supervising all misdemeanor cases pre-trial.
“On behalf of the Board I want to congratulate both Keisha Hudson on her selection and Sarah Allen for being selected as First Assistant,” said Defender Board President Paul Hetznecker, “Sarah Allen is an excellent choice for the role. Ms. Hudson’s decision to select Ms. Allen, a career Defender, is recognition that a careerlong, passionate commitment to the Defender mission is essential to continuing on the path to real criminal justice reform.”
Sarah Allen will be replacing Alan Tauber, who will remain with the Defender until January to assist with the leadership transition. “When our justice system all but shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, Sarah spearheaded our efforts to secure emergency releases for more than 1,000 incarcerated people,” said Tauber, “Her ability to execute this huge, critical program is indicative of the professionalism, leadership, innovation and commitment she will bring to her role as First Assistant Defender.”
Chief Defender Keisha Hudson, who officially started in her new role on November 30, said she was “thrilled” to work with Ms. Allen, citing her impeccable reputation as an attorney, a leader, a collaborator, and a visionary. “I am incredibly honored to work with her,” said Hudson.
“I am extremely honored and proud to be selected to be the First Assistant,” Allen said, “We are facing extremely challenging times and Keisha [Hudson] has assembled a team that is ready to face these challenges and move the Defender forward.”
Sarah Allen steps into her new role on Monday, December 6, 2021.
# # #
;
