Defender Association of Philadelphia

05/29/2026

One in five Philadelphians will need a public defender at some point in their lives. Public defense is about more than courtrooms, it’s about protecting jobs, housing, families, immigration status, and opportunities for a fresh start.

In this FY27 Budget Breakdown, our CFO, Carolyn Jester, walks through the numbers behind public defense and why sustained investment matters. When public defense is underfunded, the impact goes beyond the justice system—it affects the health, stability, and well-being of entire communities.

Hit the link in our bio to read our full FY27 Budget Testimony.🔗

05/29/2026

Every day, children and families involved in Philadelphia’s dependency system are affected by decisions they often have little say in.

On May 27, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson and Defender Peer Advocate Duane Price testified before City Council in support of Councilmember At-Large Nina Ahmad's resolution creating a Philadelphia Child Welfare Commission — a permanent, independent body that centers accountability, transparency, and the voices of impacted youth and families.

Systems work best when the people most affected are treated not just as clients, but as partners in reform. Click the link below to read and watch the full testimony at Phillydefenders.org

https://phillydefenders.org/testimony-05272026/

May 28: Chief Defender Keisha Hudson testified with Peer Advocate Duane Price in favor of creating a Philadelphia Child Welfare Commission.

05/28/2026

Loving Drake’s new album art… but we think the cover hits harder when it stands for protecting people’s rights. 💿⚖️😂

Funding public defense means investing in fairness, due process, and communities that deserve to be seen, heard, and defended. Every person deserves access to justice — not just those who can afford it.

More funding means more advocacy, more support, and more people getting a real chance at coming home to their families. Philly deserves that. 💙

05/28/2026

Loving Drake’s new album art… but we think the cover hits harder when it stands for protecting people’s rights. 💿⚖️😂

Funding public defense means investing in fairness, due process, and communities that deserve to be seen, heard, and defended. Every person deserves access to justice — not just those who can afford it.

More funding means more advocacy, more support, and more people getting a real chance at coming home to their families. Philly deserves that. 💙

05/27/2026

People in immigration court are not guaranteed legal representation , leaving many families vulnerable to detention and unjust outcomes.

As immigration enforcement increases across Pennsylvania, we’re calling on lawmakers to invest in due process, legal representation, and community stability.💙

Read our latest op-ed at the link in bio.

05/22/2026

Our offices will be closed beginning Friday at 1 PM as we observe the holiday weekend.

If you or a someone you know needs assistance during this time, resources remain available through the link in our bio. 💙

05/21/2026

Welcoming our newest Summer Legal Interns while celebrating the swearing in of members of our Fall and Spring Class. ⚖️

From courtroom observations to taking the oath, we’re proud to support the next generation of advocates committed to serving Philadelphia’s communities. 💙

05/19/2026

Public defense is community defense. 💙Proper funding helps keep families together, supports people returning home, fights for immigrants facing deportation, and creates alternatives to incarceration that invest in people instead of punishment.

From courtroom advocacy to community outreach, Philly Defenders shows up for Philadelphia every single day, especially for communities too often overlooked.

This graphic shows what Philly Defenders requested in the FY27 budget to continue serving our communities and expanding critical support across the city.While the Mayor’s proposed budget does not expand funding for these investments, we remain hopeful and committed to advocating for the resources our communities deserve.

05/12/2026

We're so excited to have The Pennsylvania Juvenile Defender Notebook in hand! This is an amazing resource for juvenile defenders to use in real time and for training, updated to reflect crucial legal changes based on the latest brain development research. Congratulations to our team here at the Defender Association and thank you to all who made this possible: Sangeeta Prasad, Office of Public Safety, Juvenile Defenders Association of PA, The Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, and the Philadelphia Foundation

05/12/2026

Programs like Defender Day are about meeting people where they are and connecting communities to support before situations escalate.

We’re proud to partner with to help tackle the challenges facing Kensington by connecting people to resources, advocacy, and support in one trusted space.

Continued investment in Philly Defenders helps keep programs like this possible, funding outreach, prevention, and direct community support. 💙