Defender News

News and Events

Testimony in Support of a Child Welfare Commission

Testimony in Support of a Child Welfare Commission

Chief Defender Keisha Hudson testified with Peer Advocate Duane Price in favor of creating a Philadelphia Child Welfare Commission. 

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Flat Funding Will Mean Reductions to Some Services

Flat Funding Will Mean Reductions to Some Services

The current budget will force the Defender Association to reduce programs that help people access treatment and improve public safety

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Statement: Defender “Flat Funded” for FY 2027

Statement: Defender “Flat Funded” for FY 2027

Statement from Keisha Hudson on the City's decision not to increase the Defender Association's FY 2027 budget. 

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Testimony: In Support of Equal Access to Justice for Immigrants

Testimony: In Support of Equal Access to Justice for Immigrants

Chris Setz-Kelly testified before City Council in support of a bill establishing protections for noncitizen survivors of crime

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Driving Equality Law Highlighted on “Last Week Tonight”

Driving Equality Law Highlighted on “Last Week Tonight”

Driving Equality Law and work of Philly Defender's Police Accountability Unit get a shout out on "Last Week Tonight"

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Flat Funding Will Mean Reductions to Some Services

Flat Funding Will Mean Reductions to Some Services

Featured, Legal Practice Units, Press Release, June 9, 2026

Statement: Defender “Flat Funded” for FY 2027

Statement: Defender “Flat Funded” for FY 2027

Client Support and Services, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, June 4, 2026

Testimony: In Support of Equal Access to Justice for Immigrants

Testimony: In Support of Equal Access to Justice for Immigrants

Client Support and Services, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Legal Practice Units, June 2, 2026

Testimony in Support of a Child Welfare Commission

Testimony in Support of a Child Welfare Commission

Client Support and Services, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Legal Practice Units, May 28, 2026

Request Defender Services Online

Request Defender Services Online

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Uncategorized, May 12, 2026

FY 2027 Budget Testimony

FY 2027 Budget Testimony

Client Support and Services, Criminal Justice Reform, Uncategorized, April 28, 2026

A Guide for System-Involved Youth

A Guide for System-Involved Youth

Client Support and Services, Legal Practice Units, Uncategorized, Youth Justice, April 1, 2026

Defender Statement on Removal of Slavery Murals

Defender Statement on Removal of Slavery Murals

Community Partnerships, Press Release, February 4, 2026

Defender Statement on “ICE Out” Legislation

Defender Statement on “ICE Out” Legislation

Criminal Justice Reform, Press Release, January 29, 2026

Support Immigration Defense!

Support Immigration Defense!

Legal Practice Units, Marketing, January 28, 2026

Defender Launches Immigration Law Practice

Defender Launches Immigration Law Practice

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Legal Practice Units, Press Release, January 12, 2026

Emergency Bail Hearings Safely Release 200 People

Emergency Bail Hearings Safely Release 200 People

Client Support and Services, Criminal Justice Reform, October 14, 2025

Join our Next Attorney Class!

Join our Next Attorney Class!

Client Support and Services, Legal Practice Units, Uncategorized, July 24, 2025

Immigrant Rights & Resources

Immigrant Rights & Resources

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Uncategorized, June 26, 2025

Defender Statement on ICE Arrests at the Courthouse

Defender Statement on ICE Arrests at the Courthouse

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Press Release, June 24, 2025

Statement on Return of “Sweeps” to Kensington

Statement on Return of “Sweeps” to Kensington

Criminal Justice Reform, Press Release, June 11, 2025

Statement on New Prison Oversight Board

Statement on New Prison Oversight Board

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, May 21, 2025

Statement on the Detention of a Defender Client by ICE

Statement on the Detention of a Defender Client by ICE

Client Support and Services, Criminal Justice Reform, Press Release, April 23, 2025

Defender Statement on Philly FY 2026 Budget

Defender Statement on Philly FY 2026 Budget

Criminal Justice Reform, Press Release, March 17, 2025

Testimony: Diversion Programs in Kensington

Testimony: Diversion Programs in Kensington

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, February 26, 2025

Keisha Hudson Testimony on Legal Services for Immigrants

Keisha Hudson Testimony on Legal Services for Immigrants

Community Partnerships, Legal Practice Units, January 23, 2025

Defender Statement on Juvenile Detention Special Report

Defender Statement on Juvenile Detention Special Report

Criminal Justice Reform, Press Release, January 14, 2025

Keisha Hudson on Passage of Prison Oversight Bill

Keisha Hudson on Passage of Prison Oversight Bill

Criminal Justice Reform, Press Release, December 20, 2024

Defender Days at Prevention Point

Defender Days at Prevention Point

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, December 19, 2024

Hon. Judge Lydia Kirkland Joins Defender Board

Hon. Judge Lydia Kirkland Joins Defender Board

Criminal Justice Reform, Press Release, December 9, 2024

Elisa Downey-Zayas: Impact Award Winner!

Elisa Downey-Zayas: Impact Award Winner!

Legal Practice Units, December 5, 2024

Act 111 and the Fight for Police Accountability

Act 111 and the Fight for Police Accountability

Criminal Justice Reform, Police Accountability, Uncategorized, November 22, 2024

Philly Defenders Secure Safe Release of 100 Clients

Philly Defenders Secure Safe Release of 100 Clients

Criminal Justice Reform, Legal Practice Units, Press Release, November 4, 2024

Defender Testimony: Prison Oversight

Defender Testimony: Prison Oversight

Criminal Justice Reform, Uncategorized, October 29, 2024

Talking Prison Conditions on WURD

Talking Prison Conditions on WURD

Criminal Justice Reform, October 10, 2024

Children are Children

Children are Children

Criminal Justice Reform, Youth Justice, October 10, 2024

Driving Equality Law Highlighted on “Last Week Tonight”

Driving Equality Law Highlighted on “Last Week Tonight”

Featured, Police Accountability, October 8, 2024

Defender PAU on “Public Defenseless” Podcast

Defender PAU on “Public Defenseless” Podcast

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Legal Practice Units, Police Accountability, October 1, 2024

Defender x HU Public Defender Incubator Program

Defender x HU Public Defender Incubator Program

Community Partnerships, Featured, September 27, 2024

Keisha Hudson on Prison Oversight Bill

Keisha Hudson on Prison Oversight Bill

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, September 26, 2024

Statement: Another Death in Philly Jails

Statement: Another Death in Philly Jails

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, Uncategorized, September 17, 2024

Helen Gym to Join Defender Board

Helen Gym to Join Defender Board

Community Partnerships, Featured, Press Release, September 11, 2024

Statement on Latest Overdose Death in Philly Jails

Statement on Latest Overdose Death in Philly Jails

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, September 9, 2024

Request Defender Services Online

Request Defender Services Online

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Uncategorized, August 27, 2024

Defender Association Response to $25 million Prison Settlement

Defender Association Response to $25 million Prison Settlement

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, August 22, 2024

Defender CYJ Chief Nicole El on WURD Radio

Defender CYJ Chief Nicole El on WURD Radio

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Legal Practice Units, Youth Justice, August 2, 2024

Statement on Closing of Philly Juvenile Assessment Center

Statement on Closing of Philly Juvenile Assessment Center

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, Uncategorized, July 24, 2024

Policy Statement: Prison Population Reduction Post-Remick

Policy Statement: Prison Population Reduction Post-Remick

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Uncategorized, July 16, 2024

Join Our Youth Action Board!

Join Our Youth Action Board!

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Youth Justice, July 12, 2024

The Truth about Police Stops: “Driving Equality Dashboard”

The Truth about Police Stops: “Driving Equality Dashboard”

Featured, Police Accountability, Press Release, July 11, 2024

Defender Association Supports ACLU-PA’s Indigent Defense Lawsuit

Defender Association Supports ACLU-PA’s Indigent Defense Lawsuit

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, Uncategorized, June 13, 2024

Jr. Defenders: Making Positive Change!

Jr. Defenders: Making Positive Change!

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, June 11, 2024

Philly Defender wins Prestigious NLADA Honor

Philly Defender wins Prestigious NLADA Honor

Community Partnerships, Featured, Legal Practice Units, Youth Justice, June 8, 2024

2024 Father’s Day Bailout

2024 Father’s Day Bailout

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Uncategorized, May 29, 2024

Peer Advocate Request Form

Peer Advocate Request Form

Client Support and Services, Uncategorized, Youth Justice, May 16, 2024

Defender Association Response to Kensington “Sweep”

Defender Association Response to Kensington “Sweep”

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, May 7, 2024

A Better Plan for Kensington

A Better Plan for Kensington

Uncategorized, May 7, 2024

2024 Junior Defender Internships

2024 Junior Defender Internships

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Uncategorized, Youth Justice, April 24, 2024

Defender FY 2025 Budget Testimony

Defender FY 2025 Budget Testimony

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Legal Practice Units, Youth Justice, April 17, 2024

Defender 90th Anniversary Highlights

Defender 90th Anniversary Highlights

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, April 16, 2024

April is 2nd Chance Month!

April is 2nd Chance Month!

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Uncategorized, April 12, 2024

90th Anniversay Gala Sponsors & Supporters

90th Anniversay Gala Sponsors & Supporters

Community Partnerships, Uncategorized, March 20, 2024

Press Release: Pushing Back on Misleading Crime Narratives

Press Release: Pushing Back on Misleading Crime Narratives

Client Support and Services, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, March 14, 2024

Gideon 60/Defender 90 CLE Workshops

Gideon 60/Defender 90 CLE Workshops

Client Support and Services, Featured, Legal Practice Units, March 4, 2024

Philly Defenders argue before the PA Supreme Court

Philly Defenders argue before the PA Supreme Court

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Legal Practice Units, March 1, 2024

Get Your Defender 90th Swag!

Get Your Defender 90th Swag!

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, February 13, 2024

Statement on Alexander Spencer Shooting

Statement on Alexander Spencer Shooting

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Uncategorized, January 31, 2024

Apply Today: HBCU Community Engagement Fellows

Apply Today: HBCU Community Engagement Fellows

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, January 18, 2024

Ski Mask Ban: Criminalizing Philly’s Youth

Ski Mask Ban: Criminalizing Philly’s Youth

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, December 27, 2023

Defender Statement on PA Legislature’s Passage of Criminal Justice Bills

Defender Statement on PA Legislature’s Passage of Criminal Justice Bills

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, December 14, 2023

Saturday, December 9: Expungement Clinic

Saturday, December 9: Expungement Clinic

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, December 5, 2023

Defender Joins Protest of ICE at Philly Courthouses

Defender Joins Protest of ICE at Philly Courthouses

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, December 4, 2023

Defender Association/Partners For Justice Featured in Philadelphia Citizen

Defender Association/Partners For Justice Featured in Philadelphia Citizen

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, November 28, 2023

Chief Defender Congratulates Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker

Chief Defender Congratulates Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker

Community Partnerships, Uncategorized, November 8, 2023

2023 Voter Info Resources

2023 Voter Info Resources

Uncategorized, November 6, 2023

Defender Statement in Support of HB1410

Defender Statement in Support of HB1410

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, October 31, 2023

Audio: Keisha Hudson on “Philly Speaks”

Audio: Keisha Hudson on “Philly Speaks”

Featured, Legal Practice Units, October 19, 2023

Video: PAU’s Mike Mellon on PhillyCAM

Video: PAU’s Mike Mellon on PhillyCAM

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Legal Practice Units, Police Accountability, October 6, 2023

Video: Why Black & Brown Public Defenders are Crucial

Video: Why Black & Brown Public Defenders are Crucial

Client Support and Services, Featured, Legal Practice Units, October 3, 2023

Keisha Hudson on Court’s Dismissal of Irizarry Shooting Case

Keisha Hudson on Court’s Dismissal of Irizarry Shooting Case

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Police Accountability, Press Release, September 27, 2023

Keisha Hudson on Passing of JoAnne A. Epps

Keisha Hudson on Passing of JoAnne A. Epps

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, September 19, 2023

Keisha Hudson on “Exonerated Justice” Legislation

Keisha Hudson on “Exonerated Justice” Legislation

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, September 14, 2023

Chief Defender on Shooting of Eddie Irizarry

Chief Defender on Shooting of Eddie Irizarry

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, September 1, 2023

In Memory of YASP Co-Founder Josh Glenn

In Memory of YASP Co-Founder Josh Glenn

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Uncategorized, Youth Justice, August 23, 2023

Press Release: Defender, Partners for Justice Collaboration

Press Release: Defender, Partners for Justice Collaboration

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, July 26, 2023

Testimony: “Marshall Plan for Kensington” Hearing, July 18, 2023

Testimony: “Marshall Plan for Kensington” Hearing, July 18, 2023

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, July 20, 2023

Defender Statement on JJSC Ruling from Commonwealth Court

Defender Statement on JJSC Ruling from Commonwealth Court

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, July 20, 2023

Keisha Hudson on FY 2024 Budget

Keisha Hudson on FY 2024 Budget

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, June 22, 2023

Talking Community Outreach with Guy Lang

Talking Community Outreach with Guy Lang

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Participatory Defense, April 28, 2023

Defender Association FY24 Budget Testimony

Defender Association FY24 Budget Testimony

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, April 25, 2023

April 29: Level Up ⬆ Southwest!

April 29: Level Up ⬆ Southwest!

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, April 25, 2023

Talking Public Defense Funding on “Philly Speaks”

Talking Public Defense Funding on “Philly Speaks”

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, April 20, 2023

Testimony: Committee on Gun Violence Prevention

Testimony: Committee on Gun Violence Prevention

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, April 17, 2023

Keisha Hudson on “New Thinking” Podcast

Keisha Hudson on “New Thinking” Podcast

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Legal Practice Units, Uncategorized, April 5, 2023

Social Workers Break Barriers!

Social Workers Break Barriers!

Client Support and Services, Featured, Legal Practice Units, Uncategorized, March 16, 2023

Request a Defender for Your Event!

Request a Defender for Your Event!

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Featured, Uncategorized, March 8, 2023

Keisha Hudson on Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Proposal

Keisha Hudson on Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Proposal

Featured, Press Release, Uncategorized, March 7, 2023

Keisha Hudson on First Year of Driving Equality Law

Keisha Hudson on First Year of Driving Equality Law

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Police Accountability, Press Release, Uncategorized, March 3, 2023

Keisha Hudson on Abolishing the Death Penalty in PA

Keisha Hudson on Abolishing the Death Penalty in PA

Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, Press Release, February 17, 2023

Defender Days

Defender Days

Client Support and Services, Community Partnerships, Featured, February 16, 2023

Black History Month Racial Justice Screening Series

Black History Month Racial Justice Screening Series

Community Partnerships, Criminal Justice Reform, Featured, February 8, 2023