LFAA Resources

Jury Demandability

The right to demand a jury trial is fundamental to U.S. democracy. It provides citizens a voice in the judiciary, educates jurors on the justice system, and provides defendants with access to due process, and produces fairer case outcomes. Restricting a right to demand a jury trial shifts power to prosecutors to force defendants to take plea deals and exposes individuals to lifetime collateral consequences they could have avoided. ...Read more

Diversion Programs to Assist Defendants in Civil Court

In debt-collection court in Philadelphia, judgments -- by agreement, by default, or as the result of a trial -- disproportionately affect people of color, who are also typically unrepresented. This memo explores the different opportunities afforded to defendants nationwide to assist defendants with settling their cases. These services include court-mandated mediation, diversion programs, and debt reduction programs. The listed programs will serve as a template for Philadelphia as it explore how to best assist defendants in debt-collection court. ...Read more