Category: Uncategorized

2024 Junior Defender Internships

Posted on by GJackson@philadefender.org

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 2010admin

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 GJackson@philadefender.org

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 GJackson@philadefender.org

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 GJackson@philadefender.org

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 GJackson@philadefender.org

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 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

 

Keisha Hudson on “New Thinking” Podcast

Posted on 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 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 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]

Follow us: @PhillyDefenders