Donate to Support Immigration Defense!
Click Here to DonateProtecting Noncitizens' Legal Rights
The Defender Association believes everyone deserves justice — no matter their immigration status. In response to increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement, we launched our Immigration Law Practice (ILP) to ensure noncitizens have the expert legal advocacy they need to protect their rights, futures, and families.
Working alongside our trial teams, social workers, and mitigation specialists, the ILP identifies immigration risks early and helps shape defense strategies that reduce harm, prevent unnecessary detention or deportation, and keep families together.
Donate to Support Immigration Defense!
Your gift to Immigrant Defense funds direct legal representation for people in Philadelphia who cannot afford an attorney. You help our defenders stand beside clients in court, explain their rights, and fight to keep families together. ⚖️
Every contribution strengthens fair, high-quality defense for immigrant communities. Together, we can reduce the harm of the criminal and immigration systems and uphold the promise of justice for all. 🌍
Click Here to DonateMore Info about the Immigration Law Practice and our services:
Defender Launches Immigration Law Practice
The Immigration Law Practice will expand the Defender's ability to protect noncitizens facing immigration consequences.
Read More
Immigrant Rights & Resources
Rights and resources for our immigrant clients, their families and communities.
Read More
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
Read More
As of July 1, several changes to Philly Defender services are now in effect.
These changes are intended to help ensure our clients continue receiving the quality legal representation they deserve.
Current service changes:
⚖️ Emergency Bail Hearings have been discontinued.
🧑🧑🧒 Staffing for 6G (Family Court) has been reduced.
📁 Post-preliminary hearing Defender appointments are only scheduled after a hearing on ability to pay.
🗓️VOP appointments are no longer accepted if another attorney handled the original trial.
To learn more about these changes and stay informed about public defense in Philadelphia, click the link in our bio to join our Action Network and receive updates delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗
#phillynews #philly #fyp
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Our offices will close beginning today at 1:00 p.m. and reopen on Monday at 10:00 a.m.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, resources are available through the link below.
phillydefenders.org
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As of July 1, several changes to Philly Defender services are now in effect.
These changes are intended to help ensure our clients continue receiving the quality legal representation they deserve.
Current service changes:
⚖️ Emergency Bail Hearings have been discontinued.
🧑🧑🧒 Staffing for 6G (Family Court) has been reduced.
📁 Post-preliminary hearing Defender appointments are only scheduled after a hearing on ability to pay.
🗓️VOP appointments are no longer accepted if another attorney handled the original trial.
To learn more about these changes and stay informed about public defense in Philadelphia, click the link in our bio to join our Action Network and receive updates delivered straight to your inbox. 🔗
#phillynews #philly #fyp
This is a stance we’d climb the Empire State Building for. 🗽😂
We’re joining @papublicdefenders in calling for increased state funding for public defense following the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Lee, which declared more than 1,100 second-degree murder convictions unconstitutional.
As resentencing hearings increase across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania must provide public defenders with the resources needed to ensure these cases are handled fairly, efficiently, and without delay. Hit the link in our bio to learn more! 🔗
June Recap 🌟
June was filled with opportunities to serve, connect, and celebrate our community. From community outreach with @reentryphila_ and @phlcouncilpresident violence prevention initiatives to honoring a remarkable 44-year career, we’re proud to continue showing up for Philadelphia, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Swipe through some of the moments that defined the month. 💛⚖️
Beginning July 1, several changes to Philly Defender services take effect.
We’re doing this to ensure we can keep delivering high-quality representation while maintaining sustainable workloads for the attorneys and staff who serve our clients every day.
Effective July 1:
⚖️ Emergency Bail Hearings will be discontinued.
🧑🧑🧒 Staffing for 6G (Family Court) will be reduced.
📁 Post-preliminary hearing Defender appointments will only be scheduled after a hearing on ability to pay.
📆 VOP appointments will no longer be accepted if another attorney handled the original trial.
Want to know more? Click the link in our bio to join our Action Network and get updates delivered to your inbox!🔗
#phillynews #publicdefense #philly
This past May, Peer Advocate Duane Price graduated from Temple University’s College of Public Health and was selected as a keynote speaker for the Class of 2026.
Having once benefited from many of the same support systems he now helps others navigate, Duane understands firsthand the power of advocacy, opportunity, and community. Today, he serves as a Peer Advocate for our Child Advocacy Unit, using his lived experience to support youth involved in the child welfare system while continuing to pursue his own educational goals.
His journey is a testament to what is possible when people are given the support they need to succeed, and how that success can come full circle through service to others.
Congratulations, Duane. We’re proud to have you on our team and honored to celebrate this incredible milestone. 🎓✨ #templeuniversity #phillyyouth #socicalwork #clienttestimonials
Safer communities start with trust.💙
As the federal government challenges Philly’s ICE Out law, Philly Defenders supports policies that ensure people can access courts, schools, hospitals, and essential services without fear. We believe access to justice, public trust, and due process make our communities stronger.
Hit the link in bio to read our full statement. 🔗
#immigration #ICE #phillynews
How much do you know about Black legal history? 🤔
To celebrate Juneteenth, our Communications Intern hit Temple’s campus to quiz students on Black legal facts and landmark court cases.
Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the ongoing fight for justice and equality. Public defenders help carry that work forward by protecting constitutional rights and ensuring access to legal representation for all. Happy Juneteenth from the Defender Association of Philadelphia. ❤️🖤💚
#Juneteenth #PublicDefense #CivilRights #JusticeForAll #PhillyDefenders
This is why funding public defense matters. Public defense is public safety.⚖️✨
Prosecutors dismiss at least 24 firearms cases after our Police Accountability Unit uncovered evidence that Philadelphia police officers were allegedly engaging in unlawful stops targeting Black men.
Public defenders do more than represent clients in court. We investigate, challenge unconstitutional practices, hold systems accountable, and protect the rights of the communities we serve. That work requires resources.
Special thanks to Police Accountability Unit attorneys Mike Mellon and Paula Sen for their dedication and advocacy.
Read the full story from @phillyinquirer at the link in our bio. 🔗
#FundPublicDefense #PublicDefense #PoliceAccountability #CivilRights #Philadelphia PhillyDefenders
