Category: Uncategorized

A Guide for System-Involved Youth

Posted on by GJackson@philadefender.org

Hi there,

 

If you are reading this, you may be involved in the foster care system, the juvenile justice system, or sometimes both. Being part of these systems can feel confusing, especially when you are hearing new terms and trying to understand how everything works.

 

You might hear words like court hearings, case plans, probation, or case managers. At times, it may feel like there are many people involved and many decisions being made. It can be difficult to know what everything means or what role each person plays.

 

This guide was created by young people who have experienced these systems themselves. It was designed to help clarify things and remind you that you are not alone in navigating this process. Inside this guide, you will find information about who may be on your team, who you can contact if you need help, advice from young people who have been through similar experiences, and tips that can help you
advocate for yourself along the way.

 

Most importantly, remember that your voice matters and deserves to be heard!

 

-Philly Defenders Youth Action Board-

 

Join our Next Attorney Class!

Posted on by fte2010

We're now accepting applications for our Fall 2026 Attorney Class!

 

APPLY HERE

Overview

Start your legal career where you can make the most difference! Every year, the Defender hires a new class of attorneys—advocates who driven to have a positive impact on our clients from day one.

 

Each year, the Defender hires approximately 15 new attorneys to join our office in the fall. We will soon begin accepting applications for the Fall 2026 class. Eligible applicants include:

 

Individuals already admitted to practice in Pennsylvania

 

Law students who have completed their 2L or 3LE year and plan to sit for the Pennsylvania Bar Exam before September 2026

 

If you are still in law school and not yet eligible to apply for a staff attorney position, we encourage you to explore our Summer Internship Program. 

Our Process:

1. Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcript Review
We begin by collecting resumes, cover letters, and transcripts. Once they have all been reviewed, we'll move on to the next step.

 

2. Introductory Interview
Selected applicants will be invited to a brief interview (under 30 minutes) with the Director of Attorney Training and Recruitment or another senior team member. This may be conducted virtually if needed.

 

3. Written Follow-up Questions
Applicants advancing beyond the first interview will receive a short set of follow-up questions to complete in writing.

 

4. Panel Interview
Applicants selected for this round will participate in a simulation-style panel interview, held in person at the Defender Association.

 

The panel will include 2–3 senior attorneys portraying roles such as judge, prosecutor, and client.

 

This exercise is designed to reflect the courtroom advocacy and client-centered approach required of new attorneys at the Defender.

 

5. Final Interview

Applicants who excel in the panel interview will be invited to a final interview with members of the Defender executive team and others.

 

At this stage, we will request personal/professional references and an unofficial transcript.

 

Yes, this really is the final step!

 

Due to the volume of applications and the multi-step nature of our process, application review can take time. We appreciate your patience as we give each submission the careful attention it deserves.

Newly hired attorneys will take part in an intensive five-week training program that includes trial advocacy, courtroom observation, and instruction. Following training, new Defenders enter a structured rotation through trial and pre-trial units, starting in Municipal Court and culminating in jury trials in the Court of Common Pleas.

When does the application open?
We typically post the application in late August or early September to hire for the following fall. First-round interviews may take several weeks to begin after applications are submitted.

 

How many attorneys are hired each year?
While this may vary depending on the budget provided by Philadelphia City Council, we aim to hire at least 15 new attorneys for each Fall class.

 

Are only Fall Class positions available?
No. In addition to hiring for our Fall Class, we occasionally post openings for a Spring Class, and we regularly seek experienced attorneys to join our team. Visit our [Employment Opportunities Page] for current listings.

 

I didn’t attend a local law school and I’m not from Philadelphia. Should I apply?
 Absolutely. We’re looking for passionate, committed litigators—no matter where you’re from. If you’re ready to fight for our clients in court, we want to hear from you.

 

Do you hire directly into appeals or policy work?
All new attorneys begin their careers at the Defender by completing the trial/non-trial rotation. Opportunities in appeals or policy are considered after this rotation is complete.

 

Who can I contact with questions about my application?
Feel free to reach out to: Ben Jaye, Director of Attorney Training and Recruitment at or BJaye@philadefender.org.

We're now accepting applications for our Fall 2026 Attorney Class!

 

APPLY HERE

Immigrant Rights & Resources

Posted on by fte2010

Everyone in Philly has basic rights, included undocumented residents. We've provided some some basic information for our immigrant clients, families and communities to help you navigate what to do if you encounter ICE agents in Philly.

 

You can also download, print and share this info with your community: 

In English  |  In Spanish

Derecho a guardar silencio: No tienes que responder preguntas de la policía o de ICE sobre tu estatus migratorio, lugar de nacimiento u otros datos personales. Puedes preguntar con calma: “¿Estoy libre para irme?” Si dicen que sí, puedes irte. Si decides guardar silencio, dilo en voz alta: “Estoy ejerciendo mi derecho a guardar silencio” porque todo lo que digas puede usarse en tu contra.

 

Derecho a un abogado (y a un intérprete) en casos penales: Si la policía te arresta por un asunto penal, diles de inmediato que quieres hablar con un abogado. Tienes derecho a un abogado, y si no puedes pagar uno, un juez debe asignarte un defensor público. Si tienes el nombre o la tarjeta de tu abogado, dáselos a la policía; si no, pide una lista de servicios legales gratuitos. También tienes derecho a un intérprete en tu idioma para que puedas entender todo el proceso. No firmes nada ni aceptes ningún acuerdo sin que tu abogado esté presente.

 

Cómo conseguir un defensor público: Si te acusan de un delito y no puedes pagar por un abogado, tienes derecho a un defensor público. Sin embargo, la Defender Association solo puede representarse si un juez te asigna un defensor. Si te asignan uno, muestra su nombre o su tarjeta a la policía o al tribunal. Si no te asignan uno, la policía aún debe permitirte hacer una llamada gratuita. Pide una lista de organizaciones que ofrecen ayuda legal o apoyo a inmigrantes.

 

Derecho a un abogado en procedimientos de deportación: Si ICE te arresta por una violación migratoria, tienes derecho a un abogado, pero no se te asignará uno de forma gratuita. Debes conseguir tu propio abogado y cubrir los gastos legales. Si no tienes representación migratoria, pídele a ICE una lista de abogados de inmigración de bajo costo.

 

Si ICE llega a tu casa: No tienes que dejar entrar a agentes de inmigración a tu casa a menos que te muestren una orden de arresto válida firmada por un juez. NO abras la puerta para pedir la orden; mejor, habla con el agente desde la puerta y pídele que la pase por debajo o por la ranura del correo para que puedas leerla. Si tienes abogado, llámalo para que revise la orden contigo. Incluso en tu casa, mantienes tu derecho a guardar silencio. Si los agentes de ICE entran por la fuerza, mantén la calma, no resistas y di: “No doy mi consentimiento para que entren. Voy a guardar silencio. Quiero hablar con un abogado.”

 

Si ICE te arresta o detiene: Tienes derecho a guardar silencio y a llamar a un abogado. También tienes derecho a contactar al consulado de tu país (pide al oficial que los llame) y a recibir visitas de tu abogado, del consulado o de tu familia mientras estés detenido. No firmes ningún documento de inmigración (como una orden de deportación o una renuncia) sin hablar primero con un abogado. Asegúrate de decir claramente que deseas guardar silencio y hablar con un abogado antes de hacer o firmar cualquier cosa.

 

Si tus familiares quieren visitarte en detención migratoria: Ten en cuenta que cada centro de detención migratoria tiene reglas de visita diferentes. Tus familiares deben visitar el sitio web del centro para revisar los horarios de visita y luego llamar para confirmar los procedimientos. Tus familiares pueden averiguar dónde estás detenido visitando https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search. Una vez que sepan dónde estás, pueden encontrar las reglas de visitas para ese centro en: https://www.ice.gov/detention-facilities.


Derechos en la cárcel o en la corte: Incluso como detenido o prisionero, conservas protecciones fundamentales. No pueden torturarte ni darte castigos crueles o inusuales. Tienes derecho a practicar tu religión, a condiciones humanas y al debido proceso bajo la ley (por ejemplo, un juicio justo en la corte). El estado debe tratarte con dignidad y respeto a tus derechos humanos básicos.

 

Cómo un caso penal puede afectar tu estatus migratorio: En Filadelfia, la policía no pregunta por tu estatus migratorio cuando te arrestan o registran. En la mayoría de los casos, la policía y las cárceles de Filadelfia no retienen a personas solo porque ICE lo solicite. Pero aún así es importante tener cuidado. Un récord penal —incluso un simple arresto o cargos pendientes, aunque no hayas sido condenado— puede cambiar tu elegibilidad para alivios migratorios y aumentar tu riesgo de ser detenido por ICE. Es crucial hablar con tu abogado penal sobre tu estatus migratorio de inmediato, para que pueda ayudarte a protegerte de consecuencias migratorias.

 

Ayuda local y recursos para representación migratoria: Si necesitas un abogado de inmigración y/o recursos generales para tu caso migratorio, llama o visita una de estas organizaciones para referencias y apoyo:

 

Juntos (grupo de derechos de inmigrantes en Filadelfia); 

Community Legal Services (ayuda legal civil gratuita); 

HIAS Pennsylvania (servicios legales y sociales); 

Nationalities Service Center (ayuda legal civil gratuita y/o de bajo costo); 

Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians (servicios de apoyo para personas no ciudadanas en Pensilvania); y

Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (coalición de grupos que ofrecen servicios legales y extralegales para personas no ciudadanas en Pensilvania).

 

Act 111 and the Fight for Police Accountability

Posted on by fte2010

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court Case City of Philadelphia v. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5. is a huge opportunity for the Court to take a stand on police accountability.

 

At the center of it all is Act 111. Act 111 is a decades-old law that shapes how police contracts are negotiated, with big implications for transparency, public safety, and how our city spends its budget.

 

The Defender Association has teamed up with the ARC Justice Clinic and the ACLU of Pennsylvania to file an amicus brief in the case.

 

Download this easy-to-follow explainer from our partners at UPenn Law to learn why this case matters to every Philadelphian.

 

Read the Full Amicus Brief

 

Download the Act 111 Explainer

 

Defender Testimony: Prison Oversight

Posted on by fte2010

On October 29, Director of Prison Advocacy Tom Innes testified on behalf of the Defender Association in support of Ordinance #240817 and Resolution #240834. These proposals aim to amend the city charter to establish an Office of Prison Oversight and a companion Prison Oversight Board.

 

Read the full testimony below, or click here to download a printable version.

 

Watch Video of Tom Innes's Testimony:

Full Testimony (as submitted for the record)

 

Good afternoon. My name is Thomas Innes, and I serve as the Director of Prison Advocacy at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. On behalf of the Defender Association, I would like to thank Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson, bill sponsors Majority Whip Thomas, Minority Whip O’Rourke, and all members of City Council, for inviting the Defender Association to share our testimony in support of Ordinance #240817 and Resolution #240834. These proposals aim to amend the city charter to establish an Office of Prison Oversight and a companion Prison Oversight Board.

 

This charter change, which creates an independent Prison Oversight Board and Office of Prison Oversight, is about our past, our present, and the future we hope to create. Before discussing the current situation or the future this legislation envisions, I want to share some historical context—one I am uniquely positioned to provide.

 

In addition to my role as Director of Prison Advocacy, I hold the unofficial title of the Defender Association’s longest-serving attorney. I joined in 1978 as a trial attorney and have been with the organization ever since. In 2000, I formed the Prison Services Unit in response to the conditions my clients were facing in jail. Since then, I’ve been the primary point of contact for our attorneys, clients, and their families as they navigate the county jail system.

 

Over the past 24 years, I’ve witnessed every change within the jail—from times when the population was close to 10,000 to moments when it dropped to 3,400. I’ve been there through the HIV/AIDS epidemic, COVID-19, changes in staffing levels, and the introduction of privatized medical care. With every shift, I’ve been on the ground, on State Road, solving problems both big and small.

 

The Problem: Persistent Opacity
One constant remains: the county jail is a persistently opaque institution. This lack of transparency fosters an environment where abuses can occur unchecked. It has also hindered meaningful dialogue between policymakers, corrections staff, and the community about how our city should treat incarcerated individuals.

 

The physical location of the jail is telling. It sits in a remote corner of the city, difficult to reach by public transit. Public access to the buildings is limited, and information is often tightly controlled. I’m one of the few non-incarcerated individuals who can speak directly to what goes on inside, having seen it firsthand for decades.

 

The Current Remedy: Litigation
In the absence of independent oversight, the only avenue for addressing conditions in the jail has been systemic litigation—a reactive measure, not a preventative one. I brought an exhibit [Fig. 1] today to show the long history of lawsuits against the city, each ending in a consent decree because there was no defense against the conditions people were forced to endure.

 

(Fig. 1) SYSTEMIC LAWSUITS AGAINST THE PHILADELPHIA JAILS AND CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Commonwealth ex rel. Bryant v. Hendrick          1971 Consent Decrees*
Jackson v. Hendrick 1971-2003 Consent Decrees
Warrington v. City of Philadelphia 1998 Consent Decree
Harris v. City of Philadelphia 1982 - 2003 Consent Decrees
Bowers v. City of Philadelphia          2006 - 2008 Court Orders & Consent Decrees
Williams v. City of Philadelphia           2008 - 2016 Consent Decrees
Remick v. City of Philadelphia          2020 - 2024 Consent Decree
*Consent decrees are settlements reached because the conditions were indefensible.

 

Despite the federal oversight, problems persist. In fact, Philadelphia has been under federal consent decrees for 32 of the last 43 years—including the past three years. If litigation alone could have solved these issues, we would not be here today.

 

A History of Failed Attempts at Oversight
Past efforts at oversight have been largely ineffective. The Board of Trustees, formed years ago, was toothless and powerless, mainly serving to rubber-stamp budget requests from the prison administration. Meetings were mostly conducted in private, with limited public notice or participation. I was a non-voting member on this board and witnessed firsthand the lack of true oversight.

 

In 2014, the creation of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons as a separate city department brought another attempt at oversight—a Prison Advisory Board. Unfortunately, it was no different. It lacked authority and continued to operate with minimal transparency. Meetings were often inaccessible and limited to those within the administration. Despite–or maybe because of–my extensive knowledge and experience, I was excluded from serving as a Defender representative on that board, and what little oversight existed quickly dissipated.

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation worsened as the jails moved from mere opacity to almost complete secrecy. The public and even advocates kept out of the loop. In 2023, the Prison Advisory Board dissolved after growing frustration over its ineffectiveness.

 

Present-Day Challenges
Today, the situation remains dire. The ongoing federal lawsuit, Remick v. Philadelphia, is still unresolved, with the city under a $25 million contempt order for failing to meet agreed-upon conditions.

 

[Philadelphia Department of Prisons] Commissioner Michael Resnick, whom I have known for 20 years, is a good man and an extremely capable leader trying admirably to make changes. However, no single person, no matter how competent, can replace the need for a structured, independent oversight body.

 

The urgent need for independent oversight is underscored by recent events:

 

Over the past 20 months, more than 20 people have died in Philadelphia’s county jail. These deaths are reviewed internally, and families must hire attorneys to access information. Even then, they often face restrictions on sharing what they’ve learned.

 

From May 2023 to May 2024, an average of 106 individuals per month were transported from the jail to emergency rooms—over three per day—with no public explanation.

 

In the same timeframe, 420 incidents of pepper spray use were reported, sometimes occurring multiple times per day, with no external review or justification.

 

Recent events—a stabbing of a corrections officer just last week and two deaths within the last two months—only add to the urgency for oversight. The community deserves transparency about what happens behind the prison walls.

 

Commissioner Resnick’s Proposed Alternatives
Commissioner Resnick has suggested alternatives to an independent board, including expanding roles for the Pennsylvania Prison Society and the Defender Association. Obviously, both organizations are excellent choices to take part in oversight. However, neither has the authority or resources required to enact and ensure permanent and meaningful reforms. The Prison Society, for instance, cannot speak to staff or demand records, and it oversees every jail in the state, not just Philadelphia’s. Similarly, the Defender Association lacks the power to require documentation and relies on requests that the jail can simply refuse.

 

Conclusion
True oversight requires a constant presence inside the jail, with full access to records and the ability to engage directly with staff. The proposed charter change would create an entity capable of this, with the authority and resources to bring genuine accountability.

 

We must never forget that incarcerated people are, in fact, people. Almost all are citizens of Philadelphia who will be returning to communities, families and loved ones. We can’t simply lock them away and forget about them. As citizens we must do all we can to preserve their health and safety, along with the prison employees who are placed in jeopardy every day due to lack of staffing and resources.

 

The jails are a public institution, and the public needs and deserves a clearer view of what happens behind their walls. This charter change would shine a bright and steady light where darkness has reigned for far too long.

 

Thank you for your anticipated support of this initiative.

 

Click here to download a printable version

Statement: Another Death in Philly Jails

Posted on by fte2010

PHILADELPHIA–“The ongoing neglect by criminal justice partners to address the horrendous conditions  in Philly’s jails has resulted in the tragic death of Michael McKinnis. The Defender Association is still awaiting full information on the circumstances surrounding his death. For the second time in just ten days, we extend condolences to the family of another victim in the custody of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.

 

“No guard was assigned to the unit where Mr. McKinnis was housed—an inexcusable but predictable outcome of the well-known guard shortage on State Road. The Defender Association has consistently proposed ways to safely reduce the jail population and ease pressure on the staff. We’ve repeatedly called for collaboration and dialogue to develop solutions to end this crisis.

 

“This crisis requires us to move as quickly and proactively as we did when COVID-19 was spreading through the jails. The time for city leaders to act is overdue. If this lack of urgency continues, more people are going to die in Philly’s jails.”

 

# # #

 

Request Defender Services Online

Posted on by fte2010

Reach out to us!

Our clients don't have to wait to reach out for help from the Defender Association! We offer services that you can request right here at PhillyDefenders.org:

Adult & Juvenile Criminal Record Expungements:

An expungement is an order that requires state and local criminal justice agencies to erase something from a record. We provide these services for our adult and youth clients. Click below to learn more about expungements.

 

ADULT RECORD EXPUNGEMENTS

 

JUVENILE RECORD EXPUNGEMENTS

 

Probation Termination

Defender clients can apply through our website to have their probation terminated.

 

PROBATION TERMINATION INFO & APPLICATION

 

Client Interviews

If you have an upcoming case and are represented by a Defender attorney, you can request an initial client interview

 

SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW

 

Philly Justice System Tutorial

If you or a loved one have an open case, watch this series of videos that explains the process from arrest to sentencing 

WATCH THE VIDEOS HERE

 

Statement on Closing of Philly Juvenile Assessment Center

Posted on by fte2010

PHILADELPHIA–“The Defender Association of Philadelphia is deeply concerned about the proposed plan to permanently close the Juvenile Justice Assessment Center (JAC). This decision represents a significant step backwards in our collective efforts to implement trauma-informed policies for our youth.

 

“By reverting to older methods, we risk exposing children to the traumatic experiences that come with traditional arrest processes. They will be handcuffed and held in facilities that are not designed for them, in the same buildings with adult arrestees. This environment is not only inappropriate but also harmful, as their primary interactions will be with law enforcement officers rather than trained youth advocates.

 

“Closing the JAC means that young people will likely face repeated–and unacceptable–violations of the 6-hour rule, which states that juveniles must not be held in police custody for more than six hours without being charged or released. 

 

“The changes will impose additional training burdens on law enforcement, expecting them to fulfill roles outside their expertise. Creating an environment where families feel confident in accepting their child back home is crucial to preventing unnecessary stays in juvenile detention centers. Police officers, regardless of training, cannot replicate the expertise and approach of social workers dedicated to youth advocacy. They are ill-suited to handle the nuanced needs of young people and their families, including contacting family members, connecting them with community-based services, and ensuring safe transportation home from police stations. 

 

“Philadelphia’s law enforcement has historically struggled to ensure uniform and equitable implementation of diversionary policies. This history casts doubt on the effectiveness and fairness of the proposed changes.

 

“The Defender Association was part of the collaborative stakeholder team during the JAC planning process. However, we have not been included in discussions regarding decentralization, offense review processes, or the potential shift of community connections and resources to DHS-sponsored programs.

 

“We urge city officials to reconsider these changes. We must prioritize trauma-informed practices and the involvement of experienced social workers to truly support our youth and their families.”

 

# # #

Policy Statement: Prison Population Reduction Post-Remick

Posted on by fte2010

Introduction

District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh’s ruling holding Philadelphia’s prisons in contempt for for the City’s inability to provide a safe, secure, and civilized environment for our incarcerated citizens is completely justified. However, it’s a grim reminder that the Philadelphia Department of Prison’s (PDP), currently understaffed by 800 Correctional Officers, cannot ensure the safety of our citizens awaiting trial or serving sentences.

 

PDP is required to receive and hold people who have been remanded to their custody by the courts, whether they’re awaiting trial, being held on detainers for minor infractions, or serving a sentence. It is incredibly naive to think that the PDP will hire 800 corrections officers any time soon. Therefore, it is crucial that other system stakeholders, including the First Judicial District (FJD), the Department of Probation, and the District Attorney’s Office (DAO) work with us to address this humanitarian crisis.

Defender Association's Policy Recommendations

As stakeholders, we must commit to reducing the jail population. We recommend strategies to decrease reliance on county incarceration for public safety, starting with reducing or eliminating ‘short-term’ admissions to county jail. These brief stays do not improve public safety and may even decrease it by destabilizing individuals and their families. 

 

By addressing the following policies, we can reduce these admissions and decrease the jail population and strain on prisons without compromising public safety [click the + to view each recommendation]: 

 

This practice subverts due process by using an unattainably high bail amount as a proxy for holding without bail. Overusing the $1 million bail recommendation diminishes its meaning, forcing bail commissioners to make detention or release decisions without a meaningful DAO recommendation. Unable to rely on this signal, commissioners set higher bail amounts, delaying the actual decision and leading to detention until a judge reviews the bail. Many people at PDP are held initially because they cannot pay bail, often released within 14 days when bail is lowered or funds are raised. This process causes unnecessary detention, discrimination against the poor, family and community destabilization, and an overburdened prison system.

The City presented evidence that in May 2024, 49 people were admitted to jail and released the same day another 114 were released within 24 hours; 138 within two to four days; and 234 within five to fourteen days. These numbers demonstrate that these individuals are making bail quickly, resulting in unnecessary strain on the jail's limited staff and clogging the  jail admission system. The first five days in jail are the most expensive ones for the jail’s medical and other systems and research demonstrates that even periods of detention of 3 days are correlated with increased short and long term rates of re-arrest.

There are currently over 100 people sitting in jail because of a technical violation. 

Empowering bail commissioners to impose non-financial conditions of release, such as house arrest or GPS monitoring, at preliminary arraignment can prevent unnecessary detention. Although use of these tools raise other concerns, earlier access can streamline reviews and reduce detention. Currently, such conditions cannot be set until a judge reviews the initial bail. Providing these alternatives before jailing the arrestee will decrease the jail population and reduce the use of prison resources.

Many of those incarcerated people  65 or older pose no threat to public safety. They can–and should–be released safely. 

Incarcerating drug-addicted people poses significant risks to their health and safety. Providing access to these programs is crucial to reducing their incarceration. The lack of proper treatment, access to medications, and support for withdrawal symptoms and other medical issues related to substance use can lead to severe complications and death. Investment in comprehensive, community-oriented programs will ultimately reduce the cycle of addiction and incarceration.

 

Download a printable version of the policy here

 

A Shift in Mindset

Overlooking the Philly jails, an electronic billboard on I-95 advertising Eastern State Penitentiary flashes the message: “Old Prison/New Ideas.” We need to embody the spirit of this slogan if we’re going to make these and other needed changes. We also need to understand that these changes will  require a significant investment of time and resources beyond what city funds and the PDP alone can accomplish. Meaningful and lasting reform also requires a shift in mindset by other system stakeholders. We can’t continue to behave as if this is solely PDP’s crisis to solve. We need cooperation from every judicial system stakeholder to ensure we’re protecting public safety while keeping many of our citizens from ever hitting the admissions door of the jail. 

 

We need to recognize the humanity of incarcerated people, and stop treating incarcerated people like “units” to be locked away indefinitely. These are men and women with families and communities that they will eventually return to. We should ask ourselves, how will what they experience behind prison walls impact the kind of citizens they are when they go home? We must also remember that the horrible conditions in the jails don’t just impact the incarcerated. Every day that conditions don’t improve is another day of needless health and safety risks for prison employees, most of whom are Black and Brown Philadelphians. 

 

As we did during the COVID-19 emergency, the Defender Association is again ready to collaborate with our fellow stakeholders to come up with bold and creative solutions that protect the rights and lives of those in our city's custody.

 

Download a printable version of the policy here

Defender Association Supports ACLU-PA’s Indigent Defense Lawsuit

Posted on by fte2010

PHILADELPHIA–The Defender Association of Philadelphia supports ACLU-PA’s lawsuit against Pennsylvania for inadequate state funding for indigent defense. In Gideon v Wainwright, the Supreme Court ruled that every individual is entitled to legal counsel in court, regardless of ability to pay. But many public defender offices are so underfunded that they can’t provide proper legal representation. This isn’t just about money—it’s about justice and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, gets the constitutionally required effective representation.

 

We appreciate Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership in adding a $7.5 million line item for public defense in the state budget. It’s a positive step, but public defender offices still rely almost entirely on county funding. This creates a system where the quality of defense varies widely depending on where you live, leading to unequal justice.

 

Underfunded public defender offices struggle with overwhelming caseloads and insufficient resources, making it nearly impossible to meet the constitutional mandate for effective counsel. This not only harms those accused of crimes but also erodes trust in our justice system. ACLU-PA’s lawsuit aims to change this by pushing for statewide reform and adequate funding for all public defender offices.

 

We urge Pennsylvania to act now and ensure that every public defender office in the Commonwealth has the resources needed to provide effective representation. We need a justice system that works for every Pennsylvania citizen.

 

# # #

2024 Father’s Day Bailout

Posted on by fte2010

This Father's Day, the Defender is working with Frontline Dads to bring home as many Father's as possible!

 

If your loved one's bail is under $50,000 and they have NO other detainers, they may qualify to be freed through the Father's Day Bailout program!

 

To apply for the Father's Day Bailout, please fill out the form below:

 

Oops! We could not locate your form.

Peer Advocate Request Form

Posted on by fte2010

Defender Association's Peer Advocates are "veterans" of Philadelphia's dependency system.

 

They work alongside attorneys to help young clients navigate often complex systems to help them access housing, education and other critical services they'll need as they transition out of the dependency system and into adulthood. 

 

Watch the video below to hear from our Peer Advocates about the services they provide for our young clients.  Then, click here if you want a Peer Advocate assigned to your case.

Would you like a peer advocate assigned to your case? Click the button below to fill out a quick Peer Advocate request form.

 

Fill out the request form

A Better Plan for Kensington

Posted on by fte2010

The Defender Association fully realizes that immediate action is needed to address the conditions in Kensington. But the City’s May 8 “sweep” of homeless people signals a return to draconian and ineffective crime and drug policies. We are also troubled by the lack of communication we have received from the city in advance of these actions. This information vacuum is particularly concerning as it potentially compromises our ability to serve our clients.

 

Read our full statement here. 

 

Click on any of the menu items below to learn more about the Defender's perspectives on what's really needed in Kensington:

 

Because we are responsible for legal representation and mitigation on behalf of these community members, we have been able to gain unique insight into their needs. For example, we know that:

 

Approximately 18% of our clients each year call Kensington Home.

 

Between 2017 and 2022, our office represented 11,803 adults who lived in the neighborhood.

 

The majority–53%—of our Kensington clients are White-Hispanic; 36% are Black Non-Hispanic; and only 11% of our clients in the district were White non-Hispanic.

 

They are more likely to have been involved in the child welfare system and more likely to be arrested multiple times in the five-year period than peers who reside in other districts;

 

18% of District 7 cases involve an arrestee with a child welfare history; and

 

Slightly over half of all arrests made in District 7 are people who have been arrested at least once before in the last five years.

 

Many obstacles to improving safety and quality of life are largely systemic. Our clients who reside in and near Kensington have experienced years of disinvestment and institutional discrimination. 

Relying on the criminal legal system to solve a public health crisis doesn’t work–the same strategy has been tried–and failed–before;

 

The “jail vs. treatment” strategy is an ineffective one, with more unintended harms than derived benefits; 

 

There is a question as to whether we even have enough treatment beds

 

The “sweep” threatens to overwhelm the court and jail system, not to mention stretching the caseloads of public defenders

 

This tactic will likely shift the current problems to surrounding neighborhoods that aren't’ receiving the same level of attention and focus

Our direct experience demonstrates that we, as a city, and an office, need to do more to serve our clients who reside in and around Kensington. The Defender Association Supports:

 

Voluntary treatment programming;

 

Investments in affordable housing;

 

Pathways to employment post-recovery

 

We are working to prioritize maintaining the integrity of Black and Brown families; 

 

We’re building our capacity to use a place-based response system to trigger social service referrals for people who:

 

    • have multiple arrests in a one-year period, or 

 

    • reside in and around Kensington and other neighborhoods with high levels of community violence.

 

The Defender currently staffs all the child welfare courtrooms and continues to advocate on behalf of young people seeking return to their families;

 

We’ve established a Youth Advisory Panel;

 

Our Junior Defender program provides 10 young people with a summer internship opportunity and next year we will prioritize slots for our previously dependent clients.

 

We’re working to secure additional funding to: 

 

    • provide young people involved with the dependency systems opportunities to serve as peer mentors for our current child clients; 

 

    • provide every young person we represent with an individual social worker; and

 

    • provide housing navigators and educational attorneys for our youthful clients exiting placement or aging out of the foster care system

We’re continuing to explore strategies to safely reduce the prison population

 

Our office is working to embed trauma-centered lawyering to our practice and partnering with community organizations to serve our clients with substance use disorders and trauma histories

 

We are currently pursuing grant funding to: 

 

    • expedite substance abuse and mental health evaluation for our incarcerated clients who often experience unnecessary delays in evaluations; and 

 

    • to embed re-entry navigators for our clients pending release on supervision from the county jail.

2024 Junior Defender Internships

Posted on by fte2010

Are you (or do you know)  a high school student who will be 18 before June 10, 2024? Do you want to learn about our criminal legal system while getting PAID? Apply to our Junior Defender Internship Program!

 

Junior Defenders will learn about our justice system through workshops; observing Philly’s courts in action; taking field trips and more. Click here to learn more about Junior Defenders. Watch the video below to hear from last year’s interns!

 

 

There are TWO internship sessions: June 10 – July 19, 2024; and July 22 – August 30, 2024.

 

Interested? Use the online form to apply TODAY for this internship opportunity! Application Deadline is Tuesday, April 30!
Questions? Contact Tamira McCurdy: tmccurdy@philadefender.org

 

April is 2nd Chance Month!

Posted on by fte2010

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. 

Adult Criminal Record Expungements

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.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT ADULT CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENTS

Juvenile Record Expungements

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

 

Probation Termination

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).

 

APPLY FOR PROBATION TERMINATION HERE

90th Anniversay Gala Sponsors & Supporters

Posted on by fte2010

The Defender Association of Philadelphia would like to thank all of the individuals, law firms and organizations who made our 90th Anniversary Gala possible, and a night to remember!

Platinum Sponsors:

Law Offices of MJ Snyder
Troutman Pepper
Cozen O'Connor
Pennjerdel

 

Silver Sponsors:

Paul & Missy Hetznecker
Philadelphia Bar Association
Catherine Recker & Matt Pappajohn
Hangley, Aronchick, Segal. Pudlin & Schiller
Ballard Spahr
Welsh & Recker
StoneTurn
Marsh McLennan Agency
Cornerstone
Jonathan & Diane Penneys Edelman
Welsh & Recker

 

Bronze Sponsors:

Kairys Rudovsky Messing Feinberg & Lin
Morgan Lewis Bockus
Jed Melnick
Weir Greenblatt Pierce
Zealous
Klehr Harrison
Saul Ewing
Buchanan Ingersoll
James M. Becker
Independence Blue Cross

Brass Sponsors:

Bob and Betsy Fiebach
David Richman
Ahmad Zaffarese LLC
Dilworth Paxson LLP
Kathryn Cacciamani
Maron Deering
PDAP
Luis Ortiz
Phyllis Subin
Duane Morris
SKA Law Group
Kreischer Miller
Community Behavioral Health
David Walker
Reliable Copy

Star Sponsors:

Roberta & Robert Liebenberg
Seer Interactive
Nancy Winkelman
Deborah Gross
Nialm Sanghvi
Lorena Ahumada
Brian Collins
Patrick Egan
Sam Silver
Thomas Kenny

Donors & Supporters:

Marc Alan Bookman
Michael and Jackie Schwartz
John Holloway
Lyn Davis
William Penn Foundation
Gregory Sleet
Suzanne Young
Robert Yablon
Shelley Shaw
Marianna Rossman
Brandi McLaughlin

Statement on Alexander Spencer Shooting

Posted on by fte2010

PHILADELPHIA—”The Defender Association of Philadelphia sends its condolences to Alexander Spencer’s family, friends and community. We join the public call for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident that led to his death on January 26.

 

“As public defenders, we know it’s a mistake to jump to conclusions before all the evidence has come to light. But what’s been reported so far sounds too similar to tragedies that have played out in Philly and across the country–right down to the police narrative that seems to shift with every new piece of information revealed.

 

“Every time there’s an incident like this, it creates more mistrust between the police and the neighborhoods they’re sworn to protect. If we want our communities to be safe, we need to explore and invest in interventions that help reduce, not increase, the number of interactions between law enforcement and our communities.

 

# # #

Chief Defender Congratulates Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker

Posted on by fte2010

PHILADELPHIA–“On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, I congratulate Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker on becoming the first woman–and first Black woman–to be elected Mayor of Philadelphia.

 

The Defender Association looks forward to a positive and productive partnership with the Parker administration, as well as our new City Councilmembers, as we work to address the challenges facing our public defenders, clients and communities.

# # #

2023 Voter Info Resources

Posted on by fte2010

Election Day is November 7, 2023. There are some very important Municipal and Judicial races this year, and the outcome will likely shape the future of our city and our justice system.

 

Here are some websites with some helpful information about the various races and candidates* Inform yourself about the candidates and remember to vote on November 7!

 

 

*We are sharing this information as a resource. The Defender Association of Philadelphia does not endorse candidates in elections. 

In Memory of YASP Co-Founder Josh Glenn

Posted on by fte2010

The Defender Association of Philadelphia joins the thousands of our city’s young people, activists and community members in mourning the sudden passing of YASP co-founder Josh Glenn. Josh was an incredible leader and advocate. Among his many achievements was the establishment of the nation’s first Youth Participatory Defense Hub, right here in Philadelphia. Any progress we’ve made toward reforming our juvenile justice system would not be possible without his efforts and leadership.

There are few individuals—or organizations, for that matter—who have positively impacted as many young lives as Josh Glenn. Though our thoughts and our hearts are with his family at this time, this is a loss for the entire city of Philadelphia.

Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, August 24, at Monumental Baptist Church (4948 Locust St). The viewing will be at 9AM, with the service to begin at 10AM. The service will also be live-streamed on Monumental Baptist Church’s Facebook page.

Josh Glenn Memorial Fund Info

 

Keisha Hudson on “New Thinking” Podcast

Posted on by fte2010

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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. 

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Social Workers Break Barriers!

Posted on by fte2010

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During Social Work Month 2023, watch and learn how the Defender’s team of social workers breaks barriers for our clients and their families!

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Request a Defender for Your Event!

Posted on by fte2010

[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://2010dev.devtest.center//var/www/2547a8b6-1cf8-41ec-86ac-dcb04782c388/public_html//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 Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Proposal

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Governor Shapiro’s proposal to invest $10 million in state funds to indigent defense is welcome news for public defenders, and the clients we represent across the Commonwealth.

“As the Governor pointed out in his budget address, ‘Pennsylvania is one of only two states in the nation that provides zero dollars for indigent defense. That’s not a list we want to be on.’

“The Defender Association of Philadelphia wholeheartedly agrees with the Governor on this. Even if this investment is made–and we truly hope the legislature approves this–it is far from the funding needed for Pennsylvania’s public defense system to be on truly firm footing. However, this investment represents an unprecedented acknowledgment of the importance of our collective work as public defenders.”

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Keisha Hudson on First Year of Driving Equality Law

Posted on by fte2010

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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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Junior Defender Program

Posted on by fte2010

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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

Posted on by fte2010

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

Posted on by fte2010

[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]

Keisha Hudson on Reversal of Roe v. Wade

Posted on by fte2010

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Chief Defender Keisha Hudson on the Defender’s commitment to representing and supporting Philly’s most vulnerable citizens in a post-Roe vs. Wade America.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1656447344175{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtube.com/shorts/YfFv4NUFZXs?feature=share”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1656447363951{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]“No matter where you stand on abortion, there’s no denying that millions of people lost a constitutional right we have had for decades.

“Last week’s ruling will have the greatest impact on poor women, trans and non-binary people of color—the very same communities where most of our clients are from.

This ruling will also impact our justice system. As public defenders, we will be the ones defending many of those held on criminal charges for having, or even seeking, an abortion.

“But this only strengthens our resolve to make sure that our clients continue to get the best legal representation, as well as access to whatever supportive services they need, including healthcare.

“We will continue to partner with community organizations that serve the most vulnerable, and work closely with elected leaders who are committed to fighting for economic and social justice for ALL citizens.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1656447528429{background-color: #ffffcc !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

MORE: HEALTHCARE/REPRODUCTIVE CARE RESOURCES AND INFO

City of Philadelphia: Protecting access to abortion services

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Letter: City Council Support for Budget Increase

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thanks to City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson for putting together this letter in support of the Defender’s request for a $5.8 million budget increase. Also thanks to the 12 additional Councilmembers who signed the letter: 

  • Jamie Gauthier (3rd District)
  • Maria Quinones-Sanchez (7th District)
  • Isaiah Thomas (At Large)
  • Curtis Jones, Jr. (4th District)
  • Mark Squilla (1st District)
  • Helen Gym (At Large)
  • Cindy Bass (8th District)
  • Cherrelle Parker (9th District)
  • Derek Greene (At Large)
  • Allan Domb (At Large)
  • Kendra Brooks (At Large)
  • Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At Large)

Read the full text of the letter below, or download it here[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1651849253008{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Full text of the letter from City Council:

Mayor James F. Kenney 
City of Philadelphia

Re: The Defender Association of Philadelphia FY23 budget increase

Dear Mayor Kenney,

We believe that the FY23 budget should include a $5.8 million increase for the Defender Association of Philadelphia. The Sixth Amendment guarantees a defendant’s right to effective assistance of counsel in order to increase the fairness and likelihood of justice ultimately being reached in a criminal justice system. Our public defenders experienced unprecedented challenges throughout the past few years during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have acted as first responders and continued to advocate for their defendants while putting their own lives at risk, never resting in the defense of their clients.

The Defender Association is asking for a $5.8 million budget increase that would allow the ability to pay their non-legal staff a living wage and would allow them to attract and retain well qualified attorneys. $3.8 million would be allocated for salary increases for the non-attorney and administrative staff. Currently 45% of the non-legal staff earn less than $40,000, which leaves many having to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. The proposal would allow for a salary increase to a livable wage of $40,000, which is in line with the pay of other comparable cities.  

The remaining $2 million would be allocated for increased pay for attorneys to allow the Defender’s Association to become more competitive with their hiring. Private legal employers aggressively recruit with salary increases and signing bonuses, which increases the difficulty of recruitment. There is also a struggle to competitively recruit applicants from the same pool as the District Attorney’s office is due to the fact that the Defenders Association is only able to offer 89 cents to their dollar. The proposed increases in pay are beneficial retention strategies that would allow for hardworking staff and attorneys to be fairly compensated and would allow the Defender’s Association to continue to hire qualified individuals.

Pennsylvania is the only state that doesn’t provide state funding for public defenders, making the funding we provide vital for many Philadelphians who find themselves enmeshed with the criminal justice system. A lack of resources can lead to an unfair fight and leaves low-income defendants who are represented by overburdened public defenders more likely to be wrongfully convicted or receive longer sentences.

As a city, if we truly believe that Black Lives Matter then we should have a budget that reflects those values and fights for those most in need. We believe that the Defender Association of Philadelphia should receive a $5.8 million increase in their FY23 budget so that they can continue working to protect our citizen’s constitutional rights.

 

Yours sincerely,[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1651849243274{margin-top: 20px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District)

Jamie Gauthier (3rd District)

Maria Quinones-Sanchez (7th District)

Isaiah Thomas (At Large)

Curtis Jones, Jr. (4th District)

Mark Squilla (1st District)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Helen Gym (At Large)

Cindy Bass (8th District)

Cherrelle Parker (9th District)

Derek Greene (At Large)

Allan Domb (At Large)

Kendra Brooks (At Large)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Job Opening: Trial Attorney

Posted on by fte2010

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: Shop Talk, March 6, 2022

Posted on by fte2010

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Full Video from March 6

Watch all the presentations from our first hybrid in-person and Virtual Event at From Head to Toe Salon!

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Our Community Partners:

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1645642748036{margin-left: 5px !important;border-right-width: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645642616673{background-color: #969696 !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Feb. 24: Defender Testimony on PA Sentencing Guideline Proposals

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645719737897{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #263797 !important;}”]On February 24, 2022, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson testified before the PA Sentencing Commission with recommendations on the Commission’s proposed updates to sentencing guidelines. 

Read the full testimony below, or download it here

Click here to download the supplemental document: Proposed OGS mitigating factors[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645720075520{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”]On behalf of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, I want to thank the PA Sentencing Commission for convening this series of hearings on the new proposed sentencing guidelines.

As the largest criminal defense law firm in the Commonwealth, the Defender has a practitioner’s understanding of how changes to sentencing guidelines impact people accused of crimes in Philadelphia. We’re very happy to share our perspectives with you this morning.

 

Defender’s Overall Read on the Sentencing Guidelines

Currently, the courts use a sentencing matrix based on 2 factors:

  1. An Offense Gravity (OG) score designed to measure the seriousness of the offense; and
  2. A Prior Record (PR) score, or accounting of the accused’s previous number and types of convictions

These guidelines are not binding on the court, and they provide a range that judges can use to guide their sentencing decisions. Judges aren’t required to follow it – but if they choose to, following the guidelines likely puts them on safer legal ground if the sentence is appealed.

The proposed guidelines make some substantial changes to the recommended sentences for judges to impose. We think that many of these have the potential to be positive, and we commend the Commission’s efforts to mitigate the racial disparities that have been created when our system uses past criminal convictions to trigger enhanced sentencing.

However, we also want to urge the Commission to ensure that the more equitable outcomes we all seek are not diminished by potential exceptions or refinements to these rules. For example, it is essential that periods of incarceration do not toll or interrupt the periods of time calculated as ‘crime free’ for lapsing convictions.

We would like to highlight some areas that do concern us as direct practitioners. Notably, the overwhelmingly majority of the sentencing options call for a custodial sentence and not for restorative sanctions and many of the circumstances for which restorative sanctions are recommended are unlikely to occur in our practice.

Offenses with low OG scores of 2—like tampering with Kosher food or burning a flag—are charges rarely, if ever, seen in Philadelphia. Notably, we didn’t see any offenses designated as a “1,” and recommend that some offenses should be assigned to the lowest possible score. We would also recommend that the section that includes restorative sanctions recommendations be expanded.

 

Concerns with Offense Gravity Scores

Expanding the number of OG scores and consolidating the number of PR scores effectively narrows the range of recommended sentences on the grid. Additionally, the range by which the sentence may be impacted by aggravating and mitigating factors (the plus/minus on the right side of the matrix) is also much smaller. This may limit the effect of mitigating information presented by Defenders on the client’s actual sentence since the range of sentences the courts may impose, while still remaining within the recommended guidelines, is smaller.

We’re also concerned that, while there is substantial opportunity for aggravating factors to enhance the OG scores, there are not equal opportunities for mitigating factors to reduce the OGS. In fact, the only two factors courts can consider in reducing the gravity of the offense are not related to the circumstances or nature of the offense, but to the defendant’s acceptance of a plea or willingness to cooperate with law enforcement.

To address this inequity, the Defender proposes incorporating a list of 12 factors that will help to ensure the OG score reflects the unique circumstances presented by the facts of the case and the individual appearing before the Court for sentencing.

We have attached all 12 factors to our testimony, and won’t read through them all here, but they include factors like:

  • The defendant’s conduct neither caused nor threatened serious harm (-1);
  • There were substantial grounds tending to excuse or justify the defendant’s conduct, though failing to establish a defense (-2); and
  • The defendant has no history of prior delinquency or criminal activity or has led a law-abiding life for a substantial period of time before the commission of the present offense (-2)

We’re also concerned about the OG score enhancement that arises from association with a criminal gang.

  • The definition of a criminal gang is overwhelmingly broad and presents real challenges for our clients and the communities they represent.
  • For example: since drug distribution, by definition, frequently involves 3 or more persons, this provision could inadvertently be used to enhance the gravity score for every type of drug case.
  • While we recommend removing this provision altogether, we would at least urge the commission to adopt a more specific definition to trigger the gang affiliation enhancement.

We are equally troubled that some sentencing enhancements are already elements of the underlying offense, which raises the very real concern that without specific limiting language, they will be double counted. Similarly, we urge the Commission to include language that prohibits the ‘stacking’ of multiple aggravating factors to enhance the OGS.

 

PR Score Concerns

We would like to point out that, while aggregating the PR score will likely benefit clients with longer or more serious records, it is also likely to result in harsher treatment for clients with less serious, but perhaps more frequent, contacts with the justice system. Specifically, it’s too easy for the accused to be considered a “medium” for prior record calculations. This is particularly true for clients with a history of substance use or mental health issues.

We urge the Commission to allow for greater differentiation so that one prior conviction for felony shoplifting isn’t treated the same way as one prior conviction for felony rape under the guidelines.

We also urge the Commission to keep repeat instances for possessory offenses, retail theft, and thefts under an F2 as a low offender for PR score.

 

Conclusion

Once again, I want to thank the Sentencing Commission for undertaking these public hearings to address these serious and complex issues, and for including the Defender Association in this collaborative and thoughtful process.

I invite and encourage you to reach out to our office if you want to further discuss any of the topics I mentioned here or have any additional questions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Keisha Hudson, Chief Defender

Posted on by fte2010

Since becoming the Defender Association’s Chief Defender in November 2021, Keisha Hudson has brought both local and national attention to the critical role of public defenders in maintaining and reforming the criminal justice system. Drawing on her extensive experience as an accomplished lawyer, leader, and activist, she has enhanced the Defender’s client services and reshaped its mission to be more inclusive and people-focused.

 

Keisha Hudson’s 22-year career as a public defender began with the Defender Association of Philadelphia and continued with the Federal Defender’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Capital Habeas Unit), where she represented people on death row in state post-conviction and federal habeas appeals. As both a trial and appellate defender, she has a deep understanding of the responsibilities of public defense. She also served as the Director of Training at the Capital Habeas Unit.

 

In 2016, Ms. Hudson transitioned from the Federal Defender to the Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender, where she served as Deputy Chief Defender. Working alongside Chief Defender Dean Beer, she strengthened courtroom advocacy and addressed systemic issues around policing, pretrial detention, sentencing, and probation. Over four years, they built one of the strongest public defender offices in Pennsylvania.

 

In 2020, Ms. Hudson joined The Justice Collaborative and The Appeal, where she developed and led media and advocacy campaigns on criminal justice reform, particularly focused on innovative community-based solutions to improve public safety. From 2020 to 2021, she was a visiting professor at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law.

Alan Tauber on Philly Prison Conditions

Posted on by fte2010

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

Posted on by fte2010
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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.

[/ultimate_heading][dt_button link=”https://2010dev.devtest.center/social-services” button_alignment=”center”]LEARN MORE[/dt_button][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Participatory Defense” 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;”]

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://2010dev.devtest.center/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://2010dev.devtest.center/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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What to Know if You’re Arrested in Philly

Posted on by fte2010

What to Know if You’re Arrested in Philly

[You can also download this information here]

CHECK UPDATES ON THE COURT PROCESS CLOSE TO YOUR HEARING DATE

If you have been given a court date, please be in touch with your attorney in advance to find out what is required. Some hearings are happening in person and your appearance is required to avoid a warrant.  Others are happening virtually.  Some scheduled hearings will be rescheduled without the need for you to come to court.  There are significant delays in just about all hearings due to safety measures at the courts. This is a rapidly changing situation, so please look for updates here.

STAY IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ATTORNEY

Make sure to contact your attorney’s office within 3 days of your release after arrest, and continue to stay in touch throughout your case.  Please touch base with your attorney at least a week prior to every hearing date, and make sure they know how to reach you.  It is important that they have your updated contact information so they can reach you while working on your case and while preparing to defend you in court.  You can also sign up to receive text alerts as reminders for upcoming court dates.

CONTACT THE DEFENDER OFFICE SO WE CAN DEFEND YOU

If you are represented by the Defender Association and you have not been interviewed by Defender staff, you will need an interview before your next hearing to make sure we have all the information we need to defend you.  Please call (267) 807-1157 or visit phillydefenders.org/client-interview to schedule an interview. If you have completed an interview and need to reach us, see the list of contacts below.  Please understand that our staff is working remotely from outside the office due to pandemic restrictions; if you call the office and do not leave a voicemail message, we will not know that you called.  If you need any supportive services at this time, please contact us right away. 

GATHER AND SUBMIT IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO HELP YOUR DEFENSE

If you have any information about your case or about you that would be helpful to share with us, please forward it as soon as possible to the contacts given below.  Documents that can help verify employment or letters from employers can be very helpful, as well as documents and photos about your health, school, program certificates, family responsibilities, future prospects, and community work.  If you have any witness information, photos, video, or other useful information about your case, please send to us immediately.

GET COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO HELP NAVIGATE YOUR CASE

There is community support available for you and your family as you navigate your case, whether you are represented by the Defender, a court-appointed attorney, or a private attorney.  Community-led Hubs can help you identify and gather documents and letters that can help with your defense.  Please look for a community support group online meeting at www.phillydefenders.org/participatorydefense/.

Acting Chief Defender Alan Tauber on Derek Chauvin Murder Trial Verdict

Posted on by fte2010
PHILADELPHIA–“There are numerous lessons to be drawn from the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, not the least of which is the need to enact reforms that greatly reduce unnecessary, often deadly interactions between the police and people of color.
 
“As public defenders that primarily serve Black and Brown communities, we see many of our clients needlessly confronted and detained by police officers for minor offenses that aren’t considered criminal when they occur in white neighborhoods. Further damage is inflicted by a justice system that is too quick to accept the testimony of police officers and repeatedly fails to hold police officers to a higher level of accountability to communities.
 
“Justice can’t be served unless we closely evaluate and rethink the role of police in public safety, and work alongside community members to develop and implement fair and effective justice system practices that ensure equal treatment for every citizen.” 
 
# # #

City Council Resolution Honoring Keir Bradford-Grey

Posted on by fte2010
The following resolution was introduced in Philadelphia City Council by Councilmember Curtis Jones on April 8, 2021: 

RESOLUTION

Recognizing and honoring Keir Bradford-Grey for her astounding, impactful and incomparable
service to the City and its citizens as Chief Defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia
and congratulating her on her new role as Partner at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads
LLP.

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey has devoted 21 years of her life and legal
career to indigent defense by her diligent and compassionate efforts to secure just and fair
outcomes for people involved with the criminal legal system; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey began her distinguished career in indigent defense at
the Defender Association of Philadelphia in 1999, following her graduation from Ohio Northern
University—Claude W. Pettit College of Law; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey continued her career in indigent legal defense in
2008 at the Delaware Federal Public Defender’s office, before returning to Pennsylvania in 2012
to serve as the first African American and second woman Chief Defender in Montgomery
County; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey returned to the Defender Association of
Philadelphia in 2015 when she was selected to lead the office as Chief Defender – the first
African American woman to serve in the role; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey has worked tirelessly in her role to improve the
quality of justice for all Philadelphians by bringing a client-centered indigent defense model to
the city; establishing and building meaningful partnerships with the community, empowering
individuals, families and neighborhoods to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves
at every justice system decision point; and bringing her “Know Your Systems” training and
education program to community centers and barber shops throughout the city; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey introduced Participatory Defense, a dynamic
community-organized criminal justice reform model to Pennsylvania, and facilitated the
establishment of eight Participatory Defense Hubs, including the nation’s first Youth Hub,
throughout the city of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey has been at the forefront of police accountability
and transparency, establishing and assigning dedicated staff and resources for the Police
Accountability Unit at the Defender Association of Philadelphia and serving as an invaluable
resource on the Task Force on Police Reform; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey’s passionate commitment to racial equity led her to
envision and launch a reasonable alternative to the cash bail system that ends wealth-based
detention while also improving clients’ case and life outcomes. Her vision, the Pre-Entry
Partnership, is a first in the nation network of community-based social service organizations that
provide arrested people with support they need to address the root causes of behaviors that lead
to justice system involvement; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey, her leadership team, the staff she oversees and the
Pre-Entry Partnership were steadfast and vigorous in their leadership throughout the COVID-19
crisis, overseeing an effort to safely secure release for over 1,200 Philadelphians incarcerated in
the Spring of 2020; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey has been a national and statewide leader in criminal
justice reform serving as President of the American Council of Chief Defenders and on the
Governor’s Task Force to eliminate racial disparities in the system; and

WHEREAS, Chief Defender Bradford-Grey has served as an incomparable resource for City
Council, as Co-Chair of the Special Committee on Criminal Justice Reform, and as champion for
the communities she serves; and

WHEREAS, Chief Bradford-Grey will step down from her position as Chief Defender of the
Defender Association of Philadelphia on April 15, 2021, to begin a new legal path as a Partner at
the Center City law firm, Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP, where she will
continue her commitment to criminal justice reform by bridging more private-public
partnerships; Now, therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby
recognizes and honors Keir Bradford-Grey for her astounding, impactful and incomparable service
to the City as Chief Defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, and congratulate her
on becoming a Partner at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads’ law firm, and wishes her
the very best and continued success in her legal career and all future endeavors.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Keir
Bradford-Grey as evidence of the sincere respect, admiration and appreciation of this legislative
body.


Introduced By:
Curtis Jones, Jr.
Councilmember – 4th District
April 8, 2021 

Restorative Response Program

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1629824139227{background-color: #eeee22 !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”LEARN ABOUT RESTORATIVE RESPONSE DAYS”]

During our special Community Engagement Week, you can complete your 8 hours within one or two days with one of our trusted community partners! Click here for more info.

[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1616432945721{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;border-left-color: #1e73be !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #1e73be !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #1e73be !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #1e73be !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What is the Restorative Response Program?

Following the deaths of George Floyd and Walter Wallace, Philadelphia saw both widespread protest and significant civil unrest. The Restorative Response Program was established to create an alternative path to resolve approximately 700 of the arrests which occurred during this period. This program draws on the tenets of Restorative Justice and emphasizes community re-engagement over criminal punishment.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Who Is Eligible?

Most people arrested in connection to the civil unrest which took place between 5/31-6/12 and 10/27-11/1 are eligible if they are accused of non-violent offenses.  Eligible Defender Association clients will be contacted by mail and by phone.

If you believe you or a loved one is eligible, but have not heard from an attorney please email restorativejustice@philadefender.org or call 267-765-5045 and leave a message with:

  • your name
  • date of birth
  • address
  • phone number
  • email address

An attorney will contact you promptly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1616424856204{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column_text]

What Is the Process?

Step 1: Participants MUST COMPLETE a two-hour Educational Session to begin the program.

Step 2: Participants MUST SIGN the Restorative Response Program Acceptance Form found here. Forms can be returned by mail, email, or to the Defender drop box (located at 1441 Sansom Street, open M-F 9:00 am – 4:00 pm).

Step 3: Once you have completed the 2-hour education session listed in Step 1, please choose a community re-engagement opportunity to complete 8-hours of programs. Participants MUST COMPLETE 8 additional hours of programming through one of the Community Re-engagement Opportunities listed below or through an approved outside organization.

Here is a timesheet for participants to use for tracking completed session hours.

Step 4: The Defender Association will provide the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office with proof of completion.  At the next court date (which will be held remotely and attended by attorneys only unless COVID protocols change), all charges will be dismissed and the case will be withdrawn.

Step 5: The Defender Association will ask the court to expunge the case from the participant’s record free of charge.  Fill out the Expungement Interview request form here.[/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]

What Will It Cost?

Participants who successfully complete the program will have all their court fines and costs waived.  Determinations about restitution have not yet been in the majority of cases.  It is possible the Commonwealth will request restitution from some individuals.  An attorney from the Defender will reach out to you to address any restitution issues if they arise.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1616426598707{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

[ps2id id=’education-session’ target=”/] Step 1: Educational Session Sign Up

All Participants MUST COMPLETE a 2-hour educational session (either virtual OR in-person) before moving forward in the program. Sign up for any one of the sessions below.

If you have already completed the 2-hour educational session with Rev Donna Jones, Tara, and Kavita, skip this and please go down to the next step (Community Re-engagement Opportunities)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Restorative Response Program Virtual Education Sessions: 

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” gap=”20″ disable_element=”yes”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][dt_button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restorative-response-education-session-august-12-tickets-161714647865″ target_blank=”true” button_alignment=”center”]Thursday, August 12 – 2 to 4 p.m.[/dt_button][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][dt_button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restorative-response-education-session-august-19-tickets-161715259695″ target_blank=”true” button_alignment=”center”]Thursday, August 19 – 6 to 8 p.m.[/dt_button][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1621973105132{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

In-person Sessions:

Saturday May 22, 10am – 12pm (West Philly):
Malcolm X Park, 51st & Pine Streets

[/vc_column_text][dt_button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restorative-response-education-west-philly-may-22-tickets-150262494165″ target_blank=”true” button_alignment=”center”]Register Here[/dt_button][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

[ps2id id=’community-opportunity’ target=”/] Step 3: Community Re-engagement Opportunities

Once you have completed the 2-hour education session listed in Step 1, please choose a community re-engagement opportunity to complete 8-hours of programs.

Click on the category name to see a list of organizations and opportunities. You can also download a printable directory of organizations and re-engagement opportunities here. 

As you complete your community re-engagement activities, track your hours using this timesheet. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_tta_tour shape=”square” color=”blue” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_type=”typicons” i_icon_typicons=”typcn typcn-group-outline” add_icon=”true” title=”Restorative Justice Training & Circles” tab_id=”1616788284712-65b3c6a7-e87b”][vc_column_text]MCCP Restorative Cities Initiative – Restorative Justice Training & Circles (6 hours) + 2 Circles (2 hours) = 8 hours total

Location: In-person, at various locations around the city 

Contact:
Terry King
609-923-5419
info@mccpphilly.org

Time: Trainings are held 9 AM – 4 PM (6 hour day with 1-hour lunch break)

Once you have completed this training, you will sign up for 2 additional hours of Restorative Justice circles to complete your requirements for your case.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-child” add_icon=”true” title=”Parenting Support/Classes” tab_id=”1616788284782-3e2ded19-af19″][vc_column_text]Dear Black Fathers – Support Group for Fathers
Location: Virtual
Contact: Mabari Byrd, dearblackfathers@gmail.com

Dear Black Fathers – Math group for parents supporting children in grades K-8
Location: Virtual
Contact: Mabari Byrd, dearblackfathers@gmail.com

IDAAY – Young Fathers United parenting program (with stipend)
Location: 2305 North Broad St. 19132
Contact: Archye Leacock, aleacock@idaay.org, 215-901-6976

Maternity Care Coalition – Parenting class for parents with children under 5
Location: Virtual
Contact: Marci Mathew, mmathew@maternitycarecoalition.org, 267-773-5119

.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-users” add_icon=”true” title=”Mentoring/Peer Support Groups” tab_id=”1616788630245-5b6f4668-09b3″][vc_column_text]Broad Street Ministry – Peer Support Group
Location: 315 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: Michael McKee, michael@broadstreetministry.org, 215-735-4847 ext 116

Institute for Community Justice @ Phila Fight – Peer Support through Mannup program
Location: 1207 Chestnut St., 2nd floor Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: Mike Butler, mbutler@fight.org

Frontline Dads – Mentoring
Location: 410 N 34th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Contact: Reuben Jones, frontlinedads@aol.com

Mothers In Charge – Mentoring Program
Location: 2839 W. Girard Ave. 1st Floor, 19130
Contact: Dr. Dorothy Johnson-Speight, momsforpeace@aol.com

New Leash on Life – Life Skills/Career Readiness/Restorative Justice workshop (6 hours) + access to Community Free Pet Food Pantry
Location:  4326 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA. 19124
Time: Mondays 9am-3pm, June 21-September 21
Pet food Pantry: every 3rd Monday of each month 10am-11am.
Contact:  rob@newleashonlife-usa.org and jenna@newleashonlife-usa.org or sign up here: https://www.newleashonlife-usa.org/ under the “GET INVOLVED” section.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-handshake-o” add_icon=”true” title=”Employment & Education Support” tab_id=”1617371705939-3b9e0525-69ad”][vc_column_text]Impact Services – employment support, including work readiness workshops, job referrals, vocational training (such as automotive, construction, and HVAC), connection with benefits, and access to other resources
Location: Could be virtual or in-person in Kensington, based on specific interests
Contact: Pending (Please check back)

Impact Services – training in real estate development and creation of generational wealth
Location: Kensington area
Contact: Jon Arrieta, jarrieta@impactservices.org

Impact Services Launch Code program – computer coding apprenticeship for adults – Starts in June
Location: Pending
Contact: Pending (Please check back)

E3 (Employment, Empowerment, and Education) – Professional Boot Camp, including resume workshop, job application/job referral support, and possible professional certifications
Location: Virtual
Contact: Jamier Jones, jamier.jones@temple.edu

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-life-ring” add_icon=”true” title=”Trauma Support” tab_id=”1616788769270-7d99a731-bb17″][vc_column_text]Sankofa Healing Studio – Trauma specific group therapy
Location: virtual
Contact: Jacqui Johnson, therapy@SankofaHealingStudio.org[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-apple” add_icon=”true” title=”Food/Clothing Distribution” tab_id=”1616789147380-419bebef-4739″][vc_column_text]Chosen 300 – Food distribution
Location: 3959 Lancaster Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104 OR 1116 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA 19123
Time: see link here
Contact: Brian Jenkins, brianjenkins@chosen300.org

Hope 4 Every Living Person – Food distribution
Location: Victory Outreach Church 735 Westmoreland St. PA 19134
Time: Wed 11am-4pm
Contact: Contact: Pastor Joseph Bishop, pastorjoseph@hope4everylivingperson.org, 267-339-4190

IDAAY – Food distribution (must be able to lift 30 lbs)
Location: 2305 North Broad St. 19132
Time: Sat 9am-3pm
Contact: Archye Leacock, aleacock@idaay.org, 215-901-6976

Philadelphia Auto & Parole – Food distribution
Location: Southwest Philly, 19143
Contact: Jermaine Womack, phillysautoandparole@yahoo.com, 267-255-8834

Frontline Dads – Food distribution
Location: 410 N 34th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Contact: Reuben Jones, frontlinedads@aol.com

Mothers In Charge – Food distribution
Location: 2839 W. Girard Ave. 1st Floor, 19130
Contact: Dr. Dorothy Johnson-Speight, momsforpeace@aol.com

Bible Way Baptist – Food/clothing distribution
Location: 1323 North 52nd Street, 19131
Contact: Rev. Dr. Damone Jones and Rev. Dr. Donna Jones, poimen77@aol.com, djones@mccpphilly.org

Why Not Prosper – food distribution
Location: 717 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Time: Monday and Tuesday
Contact: Rev. Michelle Simmons, whynotprosper@aol.com, 610-716-1113

Broad Street Ministry – Food, clothing, and hygiene kit distribution
Location: 315 S Broad Street, Phila PA 19107
Time: Mon-Fri, 1030-2pm
Contact: Sign-up at https://broadstreetministry.volunteerhub.com/events/index#_=_
Or Contact Michael@broadstreetministry.org, 215-735-4847 ext 116[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-recycle” add_icon=”true” title=”Community Clean-up” tab_id=”1616789439759-f2456468-4c02″][vc_column_text]Impact Services – Community Clean Up
Location: Kensington Area
Time: every other Saturday in April/May
Contact:  Jon Arrieta, jarrieta@impactservices.org

First Stop Recovery – yard clean up
Location: 2414 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Contact: Frank Aikens, frankaikens7@gmail.com, 267-600-7305

Institute for Community Justice @ Phila Fight – community restoration with Mannup program
Location: 1207 Chestnut St., 2nd floor Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: Mike Butler, mbutler@fight.org

Bible Way Baptist – church custodial work
Location: 1323 North 52nd Street, 19131
Contact: Rev. Dr. Damone Jones and Rev. Dr. Donna Jones, poimen77@aol.com, djones@mccpphilly.org 

Why Not Prosper  – community clean up and restoration
Location: 717 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Contact: Rev. Michelle Simmons, whynotprosper@aol.com, 610-716-1113

Village of Arts and Humanities  – neighborhood beautification
Location: 2544 Germantown Avenue, 19133 (Germantown and Lehigh areas)
Time: two 4-hour shifts
Contact: Michaela Pommells, Michaela@villagearts.org

Village of Arts and Humanities  – Farm area cleanup and planting
Location: 2544 Germantown Avenue, 19133 (Germantown and Lehigh areas)
Time: two 4-hour shifts
Contact: Michaela Pommells, Michaela@villagearts.org[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-building-o” add_icon=”true” title=”Office Assistance for Nonprofits” tab_id=”1616789723674-d48939fe-7f44″][vc_column_text]People’s Paper Coop – 2021 Mama’s Day Bailout – Help organize, sort, pack, ship, and scan artwork, or help fold and cut handmade paper made from criminal records
Location: 19143
Time: two 4-hour shifts or one 8-hour shift
Contact: Courtney Bowles, courtney@villagearts.org

Hope 4 Every Living Person – Packing door hangers
Location: Victory Outreach Church 735 Westmoreland St. PA 19134
Time: Thursdays
Contact: Pastor Joseph Bishop, pastorjoseph@hope4everylivingperson.org, 267-339-4190

PAR Recycle Works – Sorting, deconstructing, loading and unloading recyclables
Location: 2024 W Hunting Park Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140
Contact: Maurice Jones, mqjones@par-recycleworks.org, 267-335-5455

IDAAY – distribute health department flyers (requires walking long distances)
Location: 2305 North Broad St. 19132
Time: Sat 9am-3pm
Contact: Archye Leacock, aleacock@idaay.org, 215-901-6976

Philadelphia Unemployment Project – Call center services for unemployed individuals
Location: Virtual
Contact: Andrew Lee, alee@philaup.org

Valley Youth House – packing bags
Location: 1500 Sansom St.
Contact: Alyssa Weinfurtner, aweinfurtner@valleyyouthhouse.org

Mothers In Charge – clerical services
Location: 2839 W. Girard Ave. 1st Floor, 19130
Contact: Dr. Dorothy Johnson-Speight, momsforpeace@aol.com

PA Prison Society – learning about PPS’s work and responding to letters from incarcerated individuals
Location: 230 S Broad St #605, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contact: Kristin Cornnell, kcornnell@prisonsociety.org

Philadelphia Citywide Coalition Project (PCCP) – Pop-Up Community Resource Centers – assist citizens at resource tables and through door-to-door information sharing about unemployment, voter registration, property sales, business planning, and other resources. (NOTE: There is a required 2-hour volunteer training that counts toward your total community engagement hours.)
Location: Various (Nicetown/Tioga, North Philly, Susquehanna, Fairhill, Allegheny West, West Philadelphia, Point Breeze, Port Richmond, Overbrook, Strawberry Mansion, Poplar, Logan)
Time: Begins June 1st, Various Shifts (8 AM-12 PM, 2 PM-4 PM, 4 PM-8 PM, 8 PM-12 AM)
Contact: info_pccp@aol.com or 215-839-6130 with your name, message, and email address[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_type=”material” i_icon_material=”vc-material vc-material-directions_run” add_icon=”true” title=”Assisting Youth Sports” tab_id=”1616789944660-a9c5f89a-14d9″][vc_column_text]Rebuilding a Village Foundation – coaching girls’ basketball (requires PA child abuse clearance)
Location: Shepard Recreation Center, 5700 Haverford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Contact: Mustafa Clement, eclmnt@yahoo.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tour][/vc_column][/vc_row]

News Coverage: After 68 years, America’s Oldest Juvenile “Lifer” is Free

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1613754824176{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Through the work of the Defender’s Bradley Bridge, Joe Ligon, the world’s oldest juvenile lifer is now free. His amazing story has caught national and worldwide attention, putting a big spotlight on the need to end over-incarceration.

Here’s just a sampling of the news coverage, beginning with the Philadelphia Inquirer:

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jessica Griffin

The nation’s oldest juvenile lifer, Joe Ligon, left a Pa. prison after 68 years

-by Samantha Melamed-

He won release through a legal maneuver that has given hope to hundreds of other juvenile lifers all serving lifetime parole.

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Washington Post:

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CNN:

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New York Post:

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Daily Mail:

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Yahoo News:

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More to come!

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Keir Bradford-Grey on Dismissal of Charges Against Khasandra Franklin

Posted on by fte2010
All charges against Khasandra Franklin, who was arrested last fall after a minor traffic incident, will be dropped.
 
PHILADELPHIA–“On behalf of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, I want to commend Attorney General Josh Shapiro for dismissing the charges brought against Khasandra Franklin by the Philly DA’s office. Shapiro’s actions serve as a shining example of the thoughtful, considered approach that should be adopted by our District Attorney’s Office before needlessly exposing more Black people to the negative lifelong effects of our justice system.
 
“Had this case gone to trial, our theory of the case would have been that, but for having the misfortune of offending someone who has power and privilege, Ms. Franklin would have never faced criminal charges. She would have never have had her car towed, much less been brought into the justice system, where she spent a night in jail. From the outset, AG Shapiro recognized this case for what it was and reduced the charges from the original felonies to misdemeanors. 
 
“I speak often on how we, as justice practitioners, need to slow down and ask more questions on the front end before permanently upending their lives by saddling them with a criminal record. Today’s decision by Josh Shapiro gives me hope that there are justice system leaders who are committed to that kind of change.”

# # #

Probation Termination

Posted on by fte2010

The Defender offers probation termination services for clients:

To be eligible, clients MUST BE COMPLIANT with their probation conditions, including:

  • Regularly reporting to their probation officer,
  • Attending any recommended treatment,
  • paying fines and cost (if they are able)

Instructions For Applying For Probation Termination

  1. Fill out the questionnaire below to the best of your ability. If you’re unsure how to answer a question, leave it blank. Your Police Photo Number (PP) & Name & Telephone Number of your Probation Officer are REQUIRED.
  2. Please discuss probation termination with your Probation Officer. We will reach out to them for a recommendation for your early termination.
  3. Early Termination of Probation Petitions can take 4 To 6 week to be researched for conflicts.
  4. If you had a court-appointed attorney or private attorney we must research your case to ensure you qualify for Defender services. Our office will call if we are NOT able to submit a petition for you.
  5. PLEASE LIMIT CALLS TO THE DEFENDER during the process. Petitions can take up to 6 or more months to be determined. Our office will only call you if we have any further questions to ask about your termination and/or with the Judge’s decision and/or Court Date regarding your pending Petition.
  6. Please fax copies of Certificate of Completed Program/s, Letter of Recommendations, Awards, etc. to Mrs. Rivera at: 267-765-6976

 

Probation Termination Request Form

"*" indicates required fields

Contact Info

Name*
Date of Birth*
Address*

Education & Employment Info

Tell us about your current work and/or school activities
Include name and address of your employer
If you don't have set hours, you can write that here.
Enter a dollar amount

Probation Info

Probation Officer Name*

Special Program Info

List the name(s) and organization(s) for any programs you have completed.
Max. file size: 300 MB.
If you can't upload a file, please fax certificates of completion to 267-765-6796

Docket Info

YOU MUST CONTACT YOUR PROBAITON OFFICER TO GET EACH DOCKET THAT YOU ARE BEING SUPERVISED FOR. IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT FILLED IN CORRECTLY, THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT DELAYS IN TERMINATING YOUR PROBATION.
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Give us any and all reasons you want your probation terminated Include info such as: Were you denied employment (Company’s name and position)? Were you denied advancement at your place of employment due to being on probation? Were you denied housing (Private Landlord, Affordable Housing, etc.), schooling (Name of school), or child-care? Do you have health conditions (ex: Diabetic, Cancer, High Blood pressure, Mental Health, etc.)? Were you denied travel for funerals or vacations (include city and state)? Do you want to relocate? Where-City & State?

Case & Court Status

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Quick Links” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:20px;”]

Look Up Your Case |  Courtroom & Attorney Info  |  Additional Resources & Info

[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”What to Know If You Have an Open Case During the Pandemic” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:20px;”]

Click here to download this flyer for information and guidance on how to navigate the system if you have an open case. 

[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607529732954{background-color: #0367bf !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1629834861155{background-color: #0367bf !important;}”]

[ps2id id=’lookupcase’ target=”/]Look Up Your Case

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If you have an open case, please find public docket information at: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch

Then, use the spreadsheet below to locate your scheduled courtroom and attorney contact information. 

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[ps2id id=’courtinfo’ target=”/]Courtroom and Attorney Info

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Use the table below to see the latest information on how each courtroom is handling hearings.

If you or a loved one have a court date for any of the listed courtrooms, please reach out directly to the attorney assigned to your case. If you have not been assigned a specific attorney name or are unsure, please contact the department heads listed below, and they can assist you with the specific details of your case.

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[ps2id id=’moreinfo’ target=”/]More Info and Resources

Click the buttons below for additional information to help prepare for your case

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” gap=”10″][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1629822931066{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”][dt_button link=”https://2010dev.devtest.center/client-interview/” button_alignment=”center”]SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW WITH A DEFENDER[/dt_button][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1629822957341{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”][dt_button link=”https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTmrOw7OOGE1krlfBSNfZKshvPhzlZYTe9GdeBLA3lJ10WJIUdP5A6u8mFv49SkTHBbSLlifa02lUbl/pub” button_alignment=”center”]FIND A PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE HUB NEAR YOU[/dt_button][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1629822980856{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”][dt_button link=”https://2010dev.devtest.center/expungement” button_alignment=”center”]EXPUNGEMENT REQUESTS[/dt_button][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner gap=”10″][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1629822996777{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”][dt_button link=”https://2010dev.devtest.center/probation-termination” target_blank=”true” button_alignment=”center”]PROBATION TERMINATION REQUEST[/dt_button][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1629823013780{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”][dt_button link=”https://2010dev.devtest.center/kys” target_blank=”true” button_alignment=”center”]KNOW YOUR JUSTICE SYSTEM[/dt_button][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607529625825{background-color: #0367bf !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Status of the Philly Courts

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Appearance at Hearings:

On your docket sheet, you can locate the date and courtroom for your next hearing.  Please note that depending on court restrictions that are constantly changing, some hearings have been happening in person, some virtually online, and some have been rescheduled without an update on the docket sheet.  

Please be in touch with the Defender as shown below or call the courts in advance if you are unsure what you should do.  If you do not appear for a hearing when required, the judge may issue a “bench warrant” for your arrest.  Additional notes and Defender contact information can be found in the table below.

Public Access:

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, courts have been mostly to the public and having hearings “by appointment only.” At this time, there is still very limited remote access for family members and supporters to attend court events online.  

For the majority of scheduled events, there is no way for the public to gain access, either in person or remotely. Please request access for family, friends, and supporters through your defense attorney 72 hours in advance.

Please remember that the judges, not our attorneys, decide which family/friends can attend the hearings. If the judge allows supporters to attend in person, they may have to view the hearing on TV in a different courtroom.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607452374601{background-color: #0367bf !important;}”]

Types of Hearings

[/vc_column_text][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Bail Hearings” main_heading_color=”#2237d6″ alignment=”left” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:20px;” main_heading_line_height=”desktop:30px;” main_heading_margin=”margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”]If your loved one was recently arrested, they will have a Preliminary Arraignment, or Bail Hearing, in the first 24 hours.  Please note the following:

  • Your loved one is at the police district and appears through CCTV for the bail hearing. There is no public access to the bail hearing.
  • If you have any information that could help, please call the court at 215-683-7283 and ask to speak to the Public Defender there.
  • Please give the Defender any information about employment, school, health, family life, or other responsibilities that would help us make a strong case for release from custody.

[/ultimate_heading][ultimate_heading main_heading=”MC Hearings” main_heading_color=”#2237d6″ alignment=”left” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:20px;” main_heading_line_height=”desktop:30px;” main_heading_margin=”margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”]If your docket number starts with “MC” please note the following:

  • Courts are now scheduling MC trials.
  • Due to pandemic-related challenges and jail policies, people in custody may experience delays in hearings and trials.
  • If you have been assigned a public defender by the court, click here to schedule an interview with our office so that we have the information we need to defend you. 
  • MC Preliminary Hearings are generally taking place in person. Please make sure you have scheduled an interview (link) well in advance of your Preliminary Hearing so that we are prepared for the hearing.  Please discuss your case and whether it will be in person or virtual with our office prior to the scheduled date. Please make sure we have up-to-date contact information for you. There are very long delays in scheduling Preliminary Hearings because of strict limits on how many hearings can be safely held each day, and the priority is for people who are in custody.
  • Family members and support people who also want to attend scheduled hearings can request access to the hearing through the defendant’s attorney, at least 24 hours in advance, and a judge will decide whether family/friends can attend the hearings.

[/ultimate_heading][ultimate_heading main_heading=”CP Hearings” main_heading_color=”#2237d6″ alignment=”left” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:20px;” main_heading_line_height=”desktop:30px;” main_heading_margin=”margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”]If your docket number starts with “CP” please note the following:

  • CP hearings and trials are prioritized for those who are in custody. However, there may be delays due to pandemic-related challenges or jail policy. 
  • The courts are now open for jury and non-jury trials. Contact your attorney now to make sure you’re ready for trial.
  • While the pandemic has created some uncertainty, jury trials for those out of custody will most likely take place in 2022. Please make sure your attorney can reach you in case of changes to the court schedule.
  • Please keep in consistent contact with your assigned attorney to make sure they know how to contact you about the court’s changing requirements and to provide any new information or ask questions about your case.
  • Public access to many courtrooms is limited. Those interested in attending jury trials must contact the defense attorney at least 72 hours prior to the court date to be placed on a list to gain access to a viewing room or the courtroom.  Public attendance is decided by a judge on a case by case basis.

[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Additional Notes:

  • If you are dealing with an issue related to a probation hearing, parole hearing, or detainer or Gagnon hearing, please contact Byron Cotter (bcotter@philadefender.org or 267-765-6565) or Victoria Sanita (vsanita@philadefender.org or 267-765-6724).
  • If you are aware that your case is part of the city’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) plan, please contact Rachel Echemendia at rechemendia@philadender.org 
  • If you are aware that your case is part of Project Dawn, please contact Anna Shapiro at ashapiro@philadefender.org.

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Councilmember Thomas Introduces Driving Equality Bill

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]PHILADELPHIA–Councilmember Thomas will introduce this bill aimed at combating the issue of Driving While Black. 43% of Philadelphia residents are Black but Black people make up 72% of the drivers pulled over for alleged motor vehicle code. After the stop, Black drivers are twice as likely to be searched but are 35% less likely to be found with contraband.

The Driving Equality Bill will promote fairness by reducing the racial disparities within these stops, promote safety by reducing community trauma and improving police-community relations, promote efficiency by refocusing officers’ time and resources on solving real crime.

“I’ve been pulled over more times than I can count and it never felt like it was keeping me or my community safer,” said Councilmember Thomas. “We need to improve police-community relations and, at a time of economic crisis, ensure that we are not wasting a single dollar of taxpayers’ money. My Driving Equality Bill will promote fairness, safety and efficiency and reduce the number of people pulled over for ‘fitting a description’.”

Under the Driving Equality Bill, police officers would no longer be able to stop a driver for a trivial code violation that does not pose a risk to public safety, such as tinted windows or a missing tail light. However, officers would still be able to stop a driver for dangerous violations, such as driving while intoxicated. Philadelphia needs to improve police-community relations and, at a time of economic crisis, ensure that we are not wasting a single dollar of taxpayers’ money. The Driving Equality Bill (the first bill of its kind out of a major city) will achieve these goals.

“By allowing the police to focus on more serious motor vehicle code violations and real crimes, the Driving Equality Bill will reduce the opportunities for the tension, conflict and tragedy that too often happen when traffic stops go bad,” said Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, “It’s exciting and inspiring to see Philly’s leaders taking bold, proactive and progressive steps to take the targets off the backs of Black people. We look forward to seeing Councilmember Thomas and others on policing and other justice system reforms that are more fair, more cost-effective, and more impactful on public safety.”

Law enforcement has claimed that motor vehicle stops are a good tool for keeping communities safe. Police officers have continued to use motor vehicle stops while Philadelphia has seen a record number of homicides and instances of gun violence – this is an inefficient and ineffective practice. On average, only .147% of motor vehicle stops result in the discovery of a weapon.

The Driving Equality Bill will be introduced in City Council this Thursday, October 29th, by Councilmember Thomas and is cosponsored by Councilmembers Jones, Gilmore Richardson, Quinones-Sanchez, Brooks, Johnson, Gauthier, Gym, Parker and Henon.

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More on “Driving Equality”

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1604003696858{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/ljdv6jVdFF4″ title=”Driving Equality Press Conference”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]NEWS STORIES:

CBS-3:
Philadelphia City Councilmember To Propose Bill Banning Police From Stopping Drivers For Minor Traffic Violations

Philadelphia Inquirer:
Philly City Council bill aims to curb police stops of Black drivers for minor infractions

WHYY-FM:
Philly City Council bill would ban police traffic stops for minor violations[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

October 15: A People’s Vision of Public Safety

Posted on by fte2010

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Join us on October 15 to share your thoughts about how the justice system can contribute to public safety, especially in our most vulnerable communities.

Hosted by: Keir Bradford Grey, Chief Defender, Defender Association of Philadelphia

WHEN: Thursday, October 15 | 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Via Zoom: zoom.us/j/91333487253 Passcode: 489866

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Click here to download and share the event flyer

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RSVP for the town hall on our Facebook Page:

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Status of reopening of the courts

Posted on by fte2010

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This page will be updated frequently. E-mail the Defender (contact@philadefender.org) if you have any questions.

Though courts are re-opening, there are still many unresolved issues as the FJD works to ensure the safety of everyone who works and enters Philly’s courtrooms during the current pandemic. We will be updating this page as we receive new information from the courts. 

Click on a category below to see the latest information[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion color=”blue” active_section=”0″ no_fill=”true” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Jury Trials (updated 9/9/2020)” tab_id=”1599659480121-e86ef7f3-c25d”][vc_column_text]

  • Jury trials commence on September 8th, 2020
  • To promote social distancing, there will be no more than three jury trials held at one time. The courts will initially focus on cases dealing with the most serious charges.
  • There is currently no space for a gallery (attendees). The Defender is working on proposing alternate spaces outside of the CJC to use as overflow seating for the public.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Waiver Trials (updated 9/9/2020)” tab_id=”1599659480155-92dbfdde-770b”][vc_column_text]

  • We are currently anticipating waiver trials starting in 2 to 3 weeks, once plexiglass is installed in all of the courtrooms.
  • There will be no more than 2 trials per room each day–at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • There will be a gallery, but it will be limited to 8 people maximum, including all witnesses. To be on the list to sit in the gallery, you will need to coordinate with the attorney.

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  • MC trials are generally on hold until January 2021. However, attorneys are reviewing the individual cases of those in custody.
  • Preliminary hearings are happening both in-person and virtually, under the following conditions:
    • Hearings are limited to 3 rooms, with 9 prelims per room every day (8am, 9am, or 10am)
    • In general, the courts are prioritizing hearings for those people who have been in custody the longest
    • If a case is listed as a status hearing, it will likely be virtual, and court appearance for the defendant will be waived.  The family of the defendant can still participate via Zoom.
    • If a case is listed as a preliminary hearing, defendants should double-check to make sure it is in-person
    • MC courtrooms will allow 10-12 people in the gallery, including all witnesses. Attendees will need to plan in advance through the attorney to be on the list to attend.
  • Some motions hearings will be in-person, some will be on Zoom, usually depending on the room and whether live witnesses are needed.
  • At the moment, things are changing week to week, so there’s no single “across-the-board” process. What happens will be on a room-by-room, case-by-case basis.

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Photos: Defenders March for Black Lives

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On June 8, The Defender Association of Philadelphia joined a national coalition of public defenders leading protests and marches for Black Lives. Hundreds of public defenders and community allies joined the march to call for an end to systemic racism in our justice system.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Click any image below to enlarge the slideshow.

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Defender E-Newsletter April 25, 2020

Posted on by fte2010

WEEKLY UPDATE

April 25, 2020

COVID-19 Info and Updates

Defender COVID-19 Updates
 
During the pandemic, we’re keeping records of the prison population, hearing result summaries, daily release data and more in our COVID-19 Defender Updates document. 
 
The latest local information and resources about COVID-19.
Gov. Tom Wolf has unveiled a color-coded system that will serve as a road map for the reopening of Pennsylvania counties… What does each color mean exactly?

Info, Reminders and Good Stuff

Defenders: Going the Extra Mile for Our Clients!
Since last Sunday, Alex Stefanatos has been working to get a COVID positive client who has asthma and is on oxygen out of custody. Not only did she help secure his release, but she also coordinated with the medical staff at the prisons and the Health Department to get him transferred to the quarantine set up at the Holiday Inn!
 
Thanks to Alex, another client is out of prison, and recovering safely without risking the health of their family!

Updates from the Finance Department
 
The Federal Government has passed the CARES Act, which implications for 403(b) plans. Click here to read the update from TransAmerica.

Transportation Deduction. Employees may choose to temporarily change their Transportation Deduction, due to extended stay at home orders. Read the details here.

Virtual Meetings with Hightower Advisors 
You can now virtually meet with Hightower FPA Retirement Plan Advisors to discuss your retirement plan and overall financial well-being. Hightower can provide personal financial advice and answer any questions regarding your retirement plans. Click here to sign up

On PhilaDefender.org

Weekly summaries that track the success rate of the Defender’s petitions and motions, as well as release numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic

News Stories

A grim picture of the impact of the pandemic on the city and school district’s budget emerged Thursday. Mayor Kenney has warned of cuts to city staffing and services.
Three unions that represent thousands of workers at Philadelphia jails have taken the unusual step of calling for judges to reduce the jail population during the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials say the financial impact of the pandemic on Philadelphia could include budget cuts up to 20% to city departments…

COVID-19 Pandemic: Weekly Expedited Hearing Data

Posted on by fte2010

On March 20, three days after the courts closed, the Defender was directed by the FJD that all emergency requests for bail reductions, detainer lifts, and early parole must be filed as written petitions with the court. Since then, the Defender has filed over 1,000 written petitions. Many clients required more than one petition to resolve multiple issues, and some petitions had to be re-filed after the FJD changed its filing rules for emergency petitions on March 23.

As of May 1, 716 of 1,215 petitions that have been decided (58.93%) have been granted.

The FJD agreed to hold expedited release hearings between April 7-9, wherein the Defender and DAO could make oral arguments for bail reductions, detainer lifts, and early parole. The hearings were held in four virtual courtrooms each day, with one Public Defender handling the cases in each room. The cases listed were taken from “presumptive release” case categories created by the DAO in conjunction with the Defender.

The following are weekly summaries that track the success rate of the Defender’s petitions and motions, as well as release numbers: 

Keir Bradford-Grey on Expedited Hearings in Philly Courts

Posted on by fte2010

Working with the Courts, the Defender has secured releases for hundreds of clients. This is no time to devote our attention to sensational storylines that distract from or derail the progress we are just beginning to make.

PHILADELPHIA– “Since we began our expedited hearings last week, we’ve worked collaboratively with the District Attorney’s Office and First Judicial District to efficiently hear cases and release hundreds of people from incarceration. It’s important not to allow our issues with a single judge to dominate what is otherwise a positive narrative. 
 
“Yesterday alone, outside of cases heard by one specific judge, 222–or 60.8%–of our petitions for bail reductions, probation detainer lifts, and early parole motions were granted by the courts. While I stand by the concerns I raised in my email to the FJD, I never intended for this communication to be leaked to the press, nor did I imply that these concerns were representative of the Defender’s view of the entire process, which has been very productive overall. 
 
“This is a critical moment for our justice system. While we should always be prepared to give and receive constructive criticism, this is no time to devote our attention to sensational storylines that distract from or derail the progress we are just beginning to make.”
 
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Defender Releases April 7-9 Prison Release and Hearing Data

Posted on by fte2010
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2020
 
CONTACT:
George Jackson  |  267.765.6768  |  gjackson@philadefender.org
 
 
 
DEFENDER ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA’S SUMMARY OF EXPEDITED COURT HEARINGS
 
 
Three days of expedited hearings resulted in the release of 235 people from Philly’s jails.
 
The Defender will release weekly data summaries of court hearings during the COVID-19 emergency.
 
 

 

PHILADELPHIA– The Defender Association of Philadelphia today publicized its first data summary documenting how many people have been released from Philly’s jails since expedited hearings began on April 7.
 
The Defender’s data shows that the first three days of hearings resulted in 235 releases from Philly’s prisons, or a three percent decrease in the prison population (when factoring in new admissions). This is the sharpest decrease in jail population since the courts were closed on March 16 due to the coronavirus epidemic. 
 
“We’re starting to see some very positive movement toward safely reducing the number of people in our jails, but we still have a lot of work to do,” said Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey, “We’re hopeful this trend can continue–we would like to see a lot more people released to make our prisons safer for the people who are incarcerated and those who work in our prison system.”
 
 
 
COVID-19 cases vs. prison population, as of April 11, 2020
 

During the emergency shutdown, the Defender has not only represented its own clients but every person who is incarcerated or targeted by the city for quarantine. Between April 7 – 9, the Defender presented 755 motions on behalf of 410 people who can be released from jail without risking public safety. Of these, 434 (57.48%) were granted, impacting 241 people. 

 
The Defender has also submitted 650 written petitions for bail reductions, probation detainer lifts, and early parole to the First Judicial District since March 20. By April 10, the courts ruled on 560 of these petitions, granting 473 (84%). 
 
The Defender will be putting out updated data summaries on a weekly basis. Bradford-Grey says this information is not just useful but critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19.
 
“We all benefit from having this data,” Bradford-Grey said, “Justice system stakeholders can use it to see how we’re all performing, and where there are opportunities to innovate or improve the process. It will also inform the loved ones of the incarcerated and their communities about our progress toward safely releasing as many people as possible.” 
 
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Philly Defender Q&A: COVID-19 Emergency

Posted on by fte2010

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Philly’s public defenders know that our clients, their families, and friends are extremely concerned about their health during this pandemic. We’re still doing our best to represent and ensure the health and safety of our clients and our communities, and are working hard to provide you with as much information as we can during these uncertain and stressful times.

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What is the status of Philly’s Courts?

Philly’s Courts have begun the process of re-opening, with a number of new restrictions and procedures in place. Things are changing quickly, and the Defender is doing our best to keep track of these changes, and keep you informed. Click here for the latest status on court hearings during the pandemic

 

What are the Defender’s office hours during the COVID-19 emergency?

Our offices are open, but clients who wish to come in for interviews or other meetings must make an appointment with an attorney in advance.

Our hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

I have a court date scheduled. What should I do?

Depending on the type of hearing, you may not be required to appear in court. Click here for an updated status of Philly’s courts.

 

My loved one has a medical condition that makes them vulnerable to the coronavirus. What should I do?

If you know someone in prison with serious health concerns, please email us right away at contact@philadefender.org. Be sure to include the person’s name, date of birth, PP# and any important details, so our Prison Services Unit can look up their case.

 

My loved one is incarcerated, but not in a Philadelphia county jail. Can the Defender help them?

Unfortunately, we have very little information or solutions for people held in state or federal custody, or those held in local jails outside of the city of Philadelphia. If you have questions about Governor Wolf’s reprieve order that can help some people in PA state custody, please find more information here.  

However, we may be able to help if your loved one has a case in the Philly courts, even if they are being held outside of our jurisdiction. Fill out our online information form if you’re not sure about your loved one’s status.

 

I have an open case in Philly. How do I know if I’m being represented by a public defender?

If you have an open case in Philly but are unsure whether you are represented by the Defender Association or by a different attorney, you can search by name on this website for your docket to find your attorney and get more information on your case. Whether represented by us or another defense attorney, you can get support on your case or for your loved one by attending weekly online meetings at these community-led Participatory Defense Hubs in Philadelphia.  

 

I have another question about myself or a loved one. Who can answer my question while your office is closed?

We have an online information form you can fill out by clicking here. Defender staff is monitoring your questions and assigning them to the appropriate attorney or department. 

As you know, people are extremely stressed about the health of their loved ones at this time. We’re getting a lot of questions through this form, so we ask for your patience as we review each question and work to get it the person who can help. 

 

 

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Here are some additional information pages that may help you:

What to do if a loved one is incarcerated during the pandemic

What you should know about pretrial supervision during the pandemic

Defender COVID-19 Information Request Form

Defender Frequently Asked Questions

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COVID-19 in Philly’s Jails

Posted on by fte2010

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In Philly’s jails, the threat posed by pandemics like COVID-19 is not limited to those behind their walls. Corrections officers, administrators and health workers come and go on a daily basis, in addition to the inmates who are released because they make bail or have served their sentence.

For example, New York City’s jail, Riker’s Island, shows how jails allow the virus to spread throughout the community: 180 inmates have tested positive but so have 141 corrections officers and an additional 23 healthcare workers which means that almost half of the people infected are not inmates and have been spreading the virus outside of the jail.

Jail population reduction is the only way to prevent the death of those at highest risk, or spreading it to our communities. It is not possible for county jails to implement the most critical preventive measures set forth in the CDC Guidance: social distancing, preventive hygiene, and the medical isolation of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases. 

 

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Click here to view the complete data graphs and information sources.

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The Philadelphia jails are now the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia. With 39 cases in a population of just 4,357, the Philadelphia jails have a higher infection rate (8.95 per 1,000 people) than any zip code in Philadelphia.

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The infection rate in Philly’s jails’is 4.71 times  the rate of Philadelphia as a whole and over 11 times the rate of Pennsylvania. In fact, the Philadelphia jails’ infection rate has now surpassed that of some of the hardest-hit areas across the globe, including New York City, Lombardy, Italy, and, Wuhan, China.

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Click here to view the complete data graphs and information sources.

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Pre-Entry Coalition Partners

Posted on by fte2010

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Click here for more information on the Pre-Entry Coalition

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Service Provider Directory

Click on a service category below to find a list of Pre-Entry Coalition organizations.
Click here for a printable directory

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Click here for more information on the Pre-Entry Coalition

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Shop Talk Series

Posted on by fte2010

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About Shop Talk

Philadelphia has an existing network of barbershops owned by credible community leaders, who have partnered with the Defender Association’s Children & Youth Justice (CYJ) Unit to bring various programs and services directly to these communities through a series of public events known as “Shop Talk”

These events are staffed by Defender attorneys, Defender social service advocates, community partners, Participatory Defense Hub facilitators and many more groups and organizations that support the initiatives.

Shop Talk events are held on location in barbershops and can include a range of programs, including (but not limited to):

  • Expungements,
  • Connection to local Participatory Defense Hubs;
  • Social service resources;
  • Information on the pardon process;
  • One-on-one consultations with a Defender attorney,
  • Statute training,
  • Know Your Rights and Know Your Systems training; and
  • Drop-in community-based office hours.

CYJ also invites community-based organizations dedicated to the reduction of mass incarceration, Pre-Entry, Participatory Defense, the reduction of gun violence and continued education.to set up information tables at Shop Talk events. These include mentor programs; housing and employment organizations; after school programs; sports programs; creative writing workshops; behavioral health providers; mental health providers; and re-entry organizations.

The barbershop owners are also critical, credible advocates who have worked to connect community members who otherwise might not reach out to the Defender with the services we provide. Our partnership with these barbershop owners is critical to building community trust and establishing the Defender Association’s reputation for fierce community advocacy and trial attorneys that the community can rely on in their moments of need.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1581018241775{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-right: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;margin-left: 15px !important;border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #eeeeee !important;border-left-color: #1e73be !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #1e73be !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #1e73be !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #1e73be !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Upcoming Shop Talks

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Pre-entry Initiative

Posted on by fte2010

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1580156790956{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Pre-entry Coalition”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Defender is working with community groups to provide social supports that address non-criminalgenic behavoirs that negatively impact their experience with the justice system. [/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Overview: What is pre-entry?[/vc_column_text][vc_video][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Pre-entry coalition launch, December   , 2019[/vc_column_text][vc_video][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1580156790956{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Pretrial and Bail Reform”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_column_text]In March 2019, the Defender Association of Philadelphia presented a way to eliminate money bail in Philadelphia, without using a risk-assessment tool, to the FJD, the District Attorney and City Council

Using the Defender’s process, most defendants charged with misdemeanors would be arrested but, instead of going through a bail hearing, would receive a summons to appear in court.

Philadelphia is the only county in the state that does not already use the summons process for lower-level offenses.

Read the Inquirer story here  | Download our proposal for pretrial reform

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2019 Defender Highlights

Posted on by fte2010
 

 

It was a truly great year for the Defender Association of Philadelphia! In 2019, the hard work of our practice units, community partnerships, and other departments led to some major achievements and accomplishments! 
 
Here are some highlights:  
 
 
 

 

We welcomed a diverse and talented class of new attorneys…
 
 
 
 
 

 

Our work sparked a major dialogue on police accountability and “stop and frisk”  in the City of Philadelphia…
 
 
Marijuana smell from cars is the least of the Philadelphia Police Department’s problems | Editorial
 
 
They know this is a black guy here’: Police stops of black drivers are skyrocketing in Philadelphia
 
 
What happens when Philly police get body cameras — but don’t turn them on?
 
 
 

 

We launched our Pre-Entry Coalition with a successful event
at CCP…
 
 
READ MORE: Coalition aims to support people who are arrested
 
 
 

 

Our entire team won major victories for our clients–and for criminal justice reform!
 
 
READ MORE: Michael White Not Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter in Rittenhouse Stabbing Trial
 
 
READ MORE: Pa. Supreme Court cites ‘egregious error,’ frees Philly man jailed by Meek Mill’s judge for probation violations
 
 
 
 
 

 

Our Adult Social Services team had their work included in two University of Pennsylvania textbooks!
 
 
 

 

Working with our community partners, we successfully crowdfunded a campaign to win a $100k Melinda R. Farrow Fund (of the Philadelphia Foundation) grant for Participatory Defense Hubs!
 
 
 
Philly Defenders on the way to a Phillies game, casting their votes for the Participatory Defense Hubs!
 
 
 

 

Nearly 50 Defender clients received assistance from the Hubs this year!
 
 
 
 
 

 

Defenders were all over the city, conducting expungement clinics and sharing information and resources with the community!
 
 
 
 
 

 

Our IT department made news for their outstanding work and leadership in digital forensics…
 
 
READ MORE: Imagine Being on Trial. With Exonerating Evidence Trapped on Your Phone.
 
 
READ MORE: Still scarce, Digital-Forensics Crawls into Public Defenders Offices
 
 
 

 

The Alternative Sentencing Unit had another busy and productive 2019, filing over 1,350 Early Termination Petitions and working to get early parole for eligible clients!
 
 
 
Alternative Sentencing Unit Director Byron Cotter with the latest New Leash on Life USA graduating class! These clients were paroled early into internships.
 
 

 

Our Children and Youth Justice (formerly Juvenile) Unit made a real difference this year, from establishing community office hours, joining a citywide task force dedicated to reducing placements in favor of supportive services, launching Project success, and so much more!
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Appeals Division continued its tradition of winning relief for clients who received unjust trials or sentences. Defender attorneys also won changes to the law in the PA Supreme Court! 
 
 
COMMONWEALTH v. FOSTER
OPINION: JUSTICE DONOHUE. The issue presented in this case asks for a determination of what constitutes a permissible basis for a court to find an individual in violation of probation…
 
COMMONWEALTH v. SANTIAGO
OPINION: JUSTICE TODD. The fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine prohibits the admission of evidence at trial that was tainted byby unconstitutional actions by law enforcement officials…