Uncategorized Archives

In Memory of YASP Co-Founder Josh Glenn

Posted on August 23, 2023September 7, 2023 by 2010admin

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

April is 2nd Chance Month!

Posted on April 19, 2023August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1681910648375{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]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. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_tta_tabs color=”blue” spacing=”10″ alignment=”center” active_section=”0″][vc_tta_section title=”Adult Expungements” tab_id=”adultexpunge”][vc_column_text]

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.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][dt_default_button link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fphillydefenders.com%2Fexpungement|||” size=”medium” button_alignment=”btn_center”]LEARN MORE ABOUT ADULT EXPUNGEMENTS[/dt_default_button][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Juvenile Record Expungement” tab_id=”juvenileexpunge”][vc_column_text]

Juvenile Record Expungement

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.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][dt_default_button link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fphillydefenders.org%2Fjuvenile-expungement%2F|title:Juvenile%20Expungement||” size=”medium” button_alignment=”btn_center”]LEARN MORE ABOUT JUVENILE EXPUNGEMENTS[/dt_default_button][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Probation Termination” tab_id=”probationterm”][vc_column_text]

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).[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][dt_default_button link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fphillydefenders.org%2Fprobation-termination%2F|title:Probation%20Termination||” size=”medium” button_alignment=”btn_center”]APPLY FOR PROBATION TERMINATION HERE[/dt_default_button][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Keisha Hudson on “New Thinking” Podcast

Posted on April 5, 2023August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

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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 March 16, 2023August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

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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 March 8, 2023August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

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

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

Keisha Hudson on Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Proposal

Posted on March 7, 2023August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

[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 March 3, 2023August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

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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 October 31, 2022August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

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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 October 27, 2022August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

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

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

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

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

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

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October 22: La Fiesta De La Oportunidad

Posted on October 18, 2022August 1, 2023 by 2010admin

[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]