Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity
General Contact Information
How to Get Help
| APPOINTMENT | |
|---|---|
| Information | Virtual appointments are available every Wednesday from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM. Attorneys are available to give free advice on clearing their criminal record to those who are interested. One-on-one appointments can be scheduled online at https://www.plsephilly.org/events/. |
| LEGAL CLINIC | |
|---|---|
| Information | PLSE conducts free monthly community-based intake sessions in the Philadelphia communities most affected by criminal history record information. At these clinics, volunteers will review your criminal history record information and can advise whether any of your charges or convictions are eligible for expungement. |
| OTHER | |
|---|---|
| Information | ONLINE INTAKE - Fair Employment Opportunities Project |
Who We Are
Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit legal aid organization. PLSE’s mission is to work toward just outcomes for low-income individuals who have had contact with the Pennsylvania criminal justice system. Through individual representation, strategic litigation, community education, research, and legislative advocacy, PLSE advocates for a more equitable social environment for those with criminal records, including expanding access to employment and social services.
Who We Serve
| Area(s) |
|
| Income Guidelines | Must be low income (under 200% of federal poverty guidelines). |
| Your family's income should be at or below the following percentage of the federal poverty level | 200 |
| Is this organization accessible by wheelchair? | No |
| Does this organization provide access for the hearing impaired? | No |
| Eligibility Restrictions | Must have court cases in Philadelphia (can live outside of Philadelphia). |
Type of Help
| This group provides the following types of services based on your legal needs and its resources: |
|
| Description of Services | Criminal Record Expungement Project (“C-REP”) represents low-income individuals through the expungement process in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Also representation in record sealing where appropriate. Fair Employment Opportunities Project (“FEOP”) is a partnership between PLSE, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia and a panel of pro bono lawyers from the private bar. This effort seeks, through education, advocacy and litigation, to insure that Pennsylvania employers comply with the provisions of Pennsylvania’s Criminal History Record Information Act (“CHRIA”) that limits the use of criminal records information in the employment process and prohibits many employers from refusing to hire individuals who have a criminal conviction record. PLSE Amicus Project provides judges with PLSE’s perspective, as a leader in the field of criminal records, on cases that touch upon the collection and dissemination of criminal record data. |