Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey and the work of the Defender and its Pre-entry coalition partners are featured in this NBC-10 special about Philly’s justice system.
Category: Uncategorized
Probation Termination
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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)
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR PROBATION TERMINATION
- 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.
- Please discuss probation termination with your Probation Officer. We will reach out to them for a recommendation for your early termination.
- Early Termination of Probation Petitions takes time to be researched, drafted, and to be filed with your Judge. PLEASE GIVE US 4 to 6 WEEKS BEFORE YOU BEGIN CALLING US.
- If you had a Private Attorney (Petitioner can file the petition themselves at CJC, 13th & Filbert Street,2nd Floor at the Motion’s desk (For A Fee) or have Private Attorney file on your behalf. If you can no longer afford a Private Attorney, you must see your judge to have the Defender Association appointed.
- If you had a Court Appointed Attorney we must research your case for potential conflicts. Our office will call if we are NOT able to submit a petition for you.
- 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.
- Please fax copies of Certificate of Completed Program/s, Letter of Recommendations, Awards, etc. to Mrs. Rivera at: 267-765-6976
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[/vc_column][/vc_row]Case & Court Status
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Look Up Your Case | Courtroom & Attorney Info | Additional Resources & Info
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Click here to download this flyer for information and guidance on how to navigate the system if you have an open case.
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[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://www.phillydefenders.org/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://phillydefenders.org/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://phillydefenders.org/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://phillydefenders.org/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
[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:
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
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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
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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.
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- 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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MacArthur Foundation Safety & Justice Challenge Virtual Town Hall
The Defender Association’s Keir Bradford-Grey, Sarah Allen, and Kate Parker joined community members and other justice system partners for an important discussion about the roles and responsibilities of our justice system in this critical time of COVID-19 and social unrest. Watch the full video below
Photos: Defenders March for Black Lives
[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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