Know Your Systems - Phillydefenders
The Defender provides FREE legal counsel to our clients arrested in Philadelphia, but we also educate the community about how to navigate the justice system. Below is a series of “Know Your Systems” training videos to help you understand the entire criminal justice system process, from arrest to trial, and everything in between. To arrange a “live” Know Your Systems training for your organization or community, contact Kavita Goyal: KGoyal@philadefender.org
Know Your Systems Training Videos
Each video below will walk you through the justice system process.
You can also click here to download the full Know Your Systems presentation document.
If you have an open case, watch this now to learn how to look up your case and how to navigate the system.
Additional Links:
Look up your case: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch
If you are represented by Defender Association, click here to look up the best contact person and other details for your case: https://phillydefenders.org/mycase/
If you or a loved one has recently been arrested, watch these videos now:
ARREST
BAIL HEARING
If your next court date is a Preliminary Hearing, watch these videos now to have enough time to prepare with your attorney:
PRELIMINARY HEARING
FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT
If your next court date is a Pretrial Hearing, watch this now to have enough time to prepare with your attorney.
PRETRIAL HEARING
If your next court date is your Trial, please watch these videos now to have time to prepare with your attorney:
TRIAL
SENTENCING
Immigrant defense is about protecting people, families, and the communities that make up our city.
Our client did everything right.
He showed up for his routine check-in, followed every rule, and trusted the system. But instead of returning home to his family, he was detained — not because he broke the law, but because of how he was seen.
Stories like his are why immigrant defense matters.
Investing in legal representation and community support ensures people aren’t forced to face high-stakes situations alone — especially when the stakes are their freedom, their families, and their future.
Read more about our immigrant defense program and why it matters in our latest article with @thephiladelphiacitizen. Link in bio. #FundPhillyDefenders #ImmigrantDefense #ICEOut #PhillyDefenders #AccessToJustice ImmigrantRights
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Immigrant defense is about protecting people, families, and the communities that make up our city.
The need is real and growing.
Investing in legal representation and community support ensures people aren’t forced to face high-stakes situations alone.
Because a stronger Philadelphia means making sure everyone has access to justice. Read more about our immigrant defense program and why it matters in our latest article with @thephiladelphiacitizen. Link in bio.
#FundPhillyDefenders #immigrantdefense #iceout #immigrantlawyers #phillynews
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Immigrant defense is about protecting people, families, and the communities that make up our city.
The need is real and growing.
Investing in legal representation and community support ensures people aren’t forced to face high-stakes situations alone.
Because a stronger Philadelphia means making sure everyone has access to justice. Read more about our immigrant defense program and why it matters in our latest article with @thephiladelphiacitizen. Link in bio.
#FundPhillyDefenders #immigrantdefense #iceout #immigrantlawyers #phillynews
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Immigrant defense is about protecting people, families, and the communities that make up our city.
The need is real and growing.
Investing in legal representation and community support ensures people aren’t forced to face high-stakes situations alone.
Because a stronger Philadelphia means making sure everyone has access to justice. Read more about our immigrant defense program and why it matters in our latest article with @thephiladelphiacitizen. Link in bio.
#FundPhillyDefenders #immigrantdefense #iceout #immigrantlawyers #phillynews
Immigrant defense is about protecting people, families, and the communities that make up our city.
The need is real and growing.
Investing in legal representation and community support ensures people aren’t forced to face high-stakes situations alone.
Because a stronger Philadelphia means making sure everyone has access to justice. Read more about our immigrant defense program and why it matters in our latest article with @thephiladelphiacitizen. Link in bio.
#FundPhillyDefenders #immigrantdefense #iceout #immigrantlawyers #phillynews
Funding immigrant defense is about protecting our people. That’s why we stand in support of the ICE OUT legislation introduced by @kendraphlcouncil and @ruephilacouncil. ⚖️✨
Our Immigration Defense Unit works with people facing some of the most high-stakes moments of their lives—fighting to stay with their families, protect their future, and be treated with dignity.
But that kind of support doesn’t show up by accident. It takes real investment to make sure people aren’t left to face these systems alone to make sure our communities are seen, heard, and defended. When we invest in defense, we invest in our communities.
#immigrationlawyer #fundphillydefenders #fundpublicdefense #philly #Iceout
Funding immigrant defense is about protecting our people. That’s why we stand in support of the ICE OUT legislation introduced by @kendraphlcouncil and @ruephilacouncil. ⚖️✨
Our Immigration Defense Unit works with people facing some of the most high-stakes moments of their lives—fighting to stay with their families, protect their future, and be treated with dignity.
But that kind of support doesn’t show up by accident. It takes real investment to make sure people aren’t left to face these systems alone to make sure our communities are seen, heard, and defended. When we invest in defense, we invest in our communities.
#immigrationlawyer #fundphillydefenders #fundpublicdefense #philly #Iceout
First week of April, out in the community 💙 here’s a quick recap:
Social Work Day at the Defender with students from UPenn, Temple, West Chester, Bryn Mawr, and the University of Valley Forge
Chief Defender Keisha Hudson speaking at a UPenn symposium on youth incarceration and public health
Attorney Mel Young in Chicago for the American Council of Chief Defenders, learning and building with leaders in public defense
#philly #phillydefenders #fundpublicdefense #fundphillydefenders
First week of April, out in the community 💙 here’s a quick recap:
Social Work Day at the Defender with students from UPenn, Temple, West Chester, Bryn Mawr, and the University of Valley Forge
Chief Defender Keisha Hudson speaking at a UPenn symposium on youth incarceration and public health
Attorney Mel Young in Chicago for the American Council of Chief Defenders, learning and building with leaders in public defense
#philly #phillydefenders #fundpublicdefense #fundphillydefenders
1 in 5 Philadelphians will need a Philly Defender. That’s family. That’s neighbors. That’s us. ⚖️✨
Public defense deserves real investment so every person—no matter their income—has access to strong, quality representation.
Because justice shouldn’t depend on what you can afford. Thank you @phillycam for having us on your platform to discuss the importance of public defense.
#fundpublicdefense #fundphillydefenders #publicdefense #phillynews #philly
1 in 5 Philadelphians will need a Philly Defender. That’s family. That’s neighbors. That’s us. ⚖️✨
Public defense deserves real investment so every person—no matter their income—has access to strong, quality representation.
Because justice shouldn’t depend on what you can afford. Thank you @phillycam for having us on your platform to discuss the importance of public defense.
#fundpublicdefense #fundphillydefenders #publicdefense #phillynews #philly
Our office will close early today at 3PM and remain closed on Friday, April 3rd.
We’ll resume regular business hours on Monday, April 6th.
Need assistance in the meantime? Hit the link in our bio for resources.
Our office will close early today at 3PM and remain closed on Friday, April 3rd.
We’ll resume regular business hours on Monday, April 6th.
Need assistance in the meantime? Hit the link in our bio for resources.
We showed up for the community and helped 150+ people get real answers and real support. 💙
From expungements and probation screenings to job resources and Know Your Rights, our Gideon Giveback Expungement Clinic + Re-Entry Fair was about putting tools directly in the hands of the people.
Because second chances should be accessible, not out of reach.
This is what public defense looks like beyond the courtroom. And it’s ONLY possible with continued INVESTMENT in the work we do.
Special thanks to our partners who made it happen:
@cindybassphilly @reform @alleghenywest215 @shopritestores @browns.market @qchcphila @ulp_housing @uplift.solutions @americaworks @brownschefsmarket @victoriaskitchenvk
#expungements #fundpjillydefenders #fundpublicdefense #reentry #phillynews
We showed up for the community and helped 150+ people get real answers and real support. 💙
From expungements and probation screenings to job resources and Know Your Rights, our Gideon Giveback Expungement Clinic + Re-Entry Fair was about putting tools directly in the hands of the people.
Because second chances should be accessible, not out of reach.
This is what public defense looks like beyond the courtroom. And it’s ONLY possible with continued INVESTMENT in the work we do.
Special thanks to our partners who made it happen:
@cindybassphilly @reform @alleghenywest215 @shopritestores @browns.market @qchcphila @ulp_housing @uplift.solutions @americaworks @brownschefsmarket @victoriaskitchenvk
#expungements #fundpjillydefenders #fundpublicdefense #reentry #phillynews
Public defense means real access, real support, and real second chances for our communities.
And we’re putting that into action TOMORROW.
Join us for our Gideon Giveback: Record Clearing Clinic & Re-Entry Resource Fair, in partnership with Councilwoman Cindy Bass @cindybassphilly.
Hit the link in bio to register or just come through🔗
🗓 March 26
⏰ 11AM–3PM
📍 Allegheny West Business Center
✔️ Expungements & record clearing
✔️ Probation termination screenings
✔️ Job re-entry resources
✔️ Know Your Rights discussions (early probation termination, gun statutes + more)
✔️ Free food + refreshments from @victoriaskitchenvk + @browns.market
Special thanks to our partners:
@why_not_prosper @reform @alleghenywest215 @shopritestores @browns.market @qchcphila @uplift.solutions @americaworks @victoriaskitchenvk @victoriaskitchen1
#GideonsDay #PublicDefense #PhillyEvents #SecondChances #PhillySupportPhilly
Public defense means real access, real support, and real second chances for our communities.
And we’re putting that into action TOMORROW.
Join us for our Gideon Giveback: Record Clearing Clinic & Re-Entry Resource Fair, in partnership with Councilwoman Cindy Bass @cindybassphilly.
Hit the link in bio to register or just come through🔗
🗓 March 26
⏰ 11AM–3PM
📍 Allegheny West Business Center
✔️ Expungements & record clearing
✔️ Probation termination screenings
✔️ Job re-entry resources
✔️ Know Your Rights discussions (early probation termination, gun statutes + more)
✔️ Free food + refreshments from @victoriaskitchenvk + @browns.market
Special thanks to our partners:
@why_not_prosper @reform @alleghenywest215 @shopritestores @browns.market @qchcphila @uplift.solutions @americaworks @victoriaskitchenvk @victoriaskitchen1
#GideonsDay #PublicDefense #PhillyEvents #SecondChances #PhillySupportPhilly
Introducing our Spring 2026 Attorney Class 💙
A new generation of advocates committed to fairness, dignity, and second chances. We’re excited to see the impact you’ll make in and beyond the courtroom.
#PhillyDefenders #PublicDefense #SecondChances #attorneylife #publicdefense
Introducing our Spring 2026 Attorney Class 💙
A new generation of advocates committed to fairness, dignity, and second chances. We’re excited to see the impact you’ll make in and beyond the courtroom.
#PhillyDefenders #PublicDefense #SecondChances #attorneylife #publicdefense
