Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts – PHENND https://phennd.org We are a network of over 25 colleges and universities that strengthens service learning in Philadelphia, connecting academics with community involvement. Tue, 30 Sep 2025 23:27:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Virtual Fireside Chat: Intermediate Appellate Court Judges – Oct 14 https://phennd.org/update/virtual-fireside-chat-intermediate-appellate-court-judges-oct-14/ Tue, 30 Sep 2025 23:27:35 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=86710 Please join us for a virtual Fireside Chat: Intermediate Appellate Court Judges featuring Judge Alice Beck Dubow and Judge Michael Wojcik and cosponsored by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and Committee of Seventy.

Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (“PMC”), a nonpartisan nonprofit, envisions a Pennsylvania judicial system in which everyone who participates is assured impartiality, fairness, accessibility and respect.

Date and Time: 

Register.

]]> Virtual Candidate Forum for judges – Sep 30 https://phennd.org/update/virtual-candidate-forum-for-judges-sep-30/ Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:43:31 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=86708 CANDIDATE FORUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th | 7:30PM – 8:30PM

Join us for a virtual candidate forum for the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvanian. This program is part of our effort to help voters make informed decisions on November 4th during general elections.

REGISTER HERE

]]> Expungement of Records & Clean Slate Virtual Workshop – Mar 15 https://phennd.org/update/expungement-of-records-clean-slate-virtual-workshop-mar-15/ Mon, 13 Mar 2023 17:08:34 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=81141 In this presentation, we will navigate the process of expungement and clearing your record after a criminal incident, including a review of the documents required for completion and where to go to file documents.

This workshop is being offered by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.

Date and Time:

Learn more and register.

Questions? Email: Ashelton@pmconline.org

]]> Criminal Court Virtual Workshop – Feb 15 https://phennd.org/update/criminal-court-virtual-workshop-feb-15/ Mon, 06 Feb 2023 22:17:18 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=80887 When taken to court, criminal matters involve very high stakes for anyone involved. Therefore, developing knowledge of the criminal process beyond TV dramas and movies is vital for an individual’s ability to advocate for themselves and for others in their community. This presentation will provide a comprehensive look at Criminal Court from arrest to trial to appeal, elucidating possible outcomes and identifying key moments, terms, and ideas in the criminal process.

Date and Time: February 15, 2023, 6:00-7:00 PM

Learn more and register.

Questions? Email Ashelton@pmconline.org.

]]> Law Student Writing Competition – Mar 17 https://phennd.org/update/law-student-writing-competition-mar-17/ Mon, 06 Feb 2023 22:03:45 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=80886 Each year, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (PMC) challenges law students to examine an issue impacting Pennsylvania’s judiciary and write an essay supporting their arguments and/or proposed solutions.

Topic: Can Pennsylvania institute a requirement that every lawyer licensed in the Commonwealth devote a specified number of hours per year to indigent or pro bono clients? If so should it? Explore the complexities surrounding this proposal, including but not limited to the vast unmet legal needs within Pennsylvania and the constitutionality of requiring lawyers to perform pro bono. Research each side of this issue and craft an argument for or against mandatory pro bono hours.

Award: $5,000

Eligible Participants: 2L and 3L students at any Pennsylvania Law School, as well as Rutgers Camden & Newark

Format: 2,000 to 2,300 word argumentative essay

Judges: Members of PMC’s Board of Advisors

Deadline: March 17, 2023

Submissions and Questions: writingcontest@pmconline.org.

Learn more.

]]> Navigating and Understanding the PA Courts & Judicial Elections Virtual Workshop – Jan 18 https://phennd.org/update/navigating-and-understanding-the-pa-courts-judicial-elections-virtual-workshop-jan-18/ Mon, 09 Jan 2023 21:05:55 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=80647 Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (PMC) offers a variety of free workshops about the court system and various legal issues to PA residents who might not otherwise have access to such resources. We have a Court Basics workshop coming up on January 18th that will take place on zoom at 6-7pm.

This course illuminates the organization and procedures of the Pennsylvania Judicial System with the goal of bringing Pennsylvanian’s awareness of and confidence in their courts. We will discuss the different subject matters of each court, knowing your way around the courtroom, how judges are selected, and how you can be a more knowledgeable citizen.

Please spread the word about the workshop as it is completely free for anyone to join and gain knowledge the organization and procedures of the Pennsylvania Judicial System with the goal of bringing Pennsylvanians awareness of and confidence in their courts. We will discuss the different subject matters of each court, knowing, how judges are elected, and how you can be more knowledgeable citizen.

Register.

]]> Volunteer as a Court Watchdog – Jan 27 https://phennd.org/update/volunteer-as-a-court-watchdog-jan-27/ Wed, 19 Jan 2022 20:13:48 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=78061 PMC Watches™ is a program for community members to observe bail hearings and share their impressions of the process. These observations are used to advocate for improvements to the judicial system.
What do Volunteers do?
  • Observe preliminary arraignments and record your observations and insights for us using our given forms.
  • The schedule is entirely your own. Simply dedicate as much or as little time as you are able.
  • We welcome adults of all ages and educational backgrounds to join us, your unique insight is very much needed.
If you can’t make it that day or have any questions or comments, email Duncan at dhardiman@pmconline.org.
]]> Volunteer with PMC Bail Watch – Sep 21 https://phennd.org/update/volunteer-with-pmc-bail-watch-sep-21/ Tue, 14 Sep 2021 17:27:18 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=76801 Interested in judicial reform? Volunteer with PMC (Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts) Bail Watch.

Bail Watch is a program designed for community members to observe bail hearings and share their impressions of the process. These observations are used to advocate for improvements by sharing concerns with the courts and other criminal justice partners.

What do volunteers do?

  • As a ball observer, you will go to preliminary arraignments and record your observations and insights for us using our given forms.
  • Your schedule will be entirely your own. Simply dedicate as much or as little time as you are able.
  • We welcome adults of all ages and educational backgrounds to join us, your unique insight is very much needed.

How do I sign up?

We will be holding brief informational and training sessions on Tuesday, September 21 at 10 AM, 12:30 PM, or 4:00 PM.

Sign up here or request info about additional training.

]]> Volunteer with PMC Bail Watch – Aug 24 https://phennd.org/update/volunteer-with-pmc-bail-watch-aug-24/ Sat, 14 Aug 2021 15:52:48 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=76290 Interested in judicial reform? Volunteer with PMC (Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts) Bail Watch.

Bail Watch is a program designed for community members to observe bail hearings and share their impressions of the process. These observations are used to advocate for improvements by sharing concerns with the courts and other criminal justice partners.

What do volunteers do?

  • As a ball observer, you will go to preliminary arraignments and record your observations and insights for us using our given forms.
  • Your schedule will be entirely your own. Simply dedicate as much or as little time as you are able.
  • We welcome adults of all ages and educational backgrounds to join us, your unique insight is very much needed.

How do I sign up?

We will be holding a brief informational and training session on Thursday, August 26 at 12:00 PM.

If you are interested in volunteering or attending the informational and training session, contact Duncan Hardiman at dhardiman@pmconline.org.

]]> Volunteers Needed for PMC Bail Watch Program – Jun 29 https://phennd.org/update/volunteers-needed-for-pmc-bail-watch-program-jun-29/ Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:18:35 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=75342 Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (PMC) is actively recruiting volunteers for its Bail Watch program. PMC will be hosting a training on June 29th at 12:00 PM via Zoom.

Volunteers will attend preliminary arraignments and record their observations on our intake forms. There are no educational or minimum hours required.

Interested volunteers can register here.

]]> Free Criminal Court Education Workshop – Jun 24 https://phennd.org/update/free-criminal-court-education-workshop-jun-24/ Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:12:56 +0000 https://phennd.org/?post_type=update&p=75340 This virtual workshop will guide you through the criminal justice system and its courts in Cumberland County. From arrest, to trial, to appeal, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (PMC) will walk you through all that you need to know to help yourself and those in your community. It will cover the key terms, possible outcomes, and processes involved in criminal court proceedings.

The program will be held in partnership with the Coy Public Library of Shippensburg.

Date and Time: June 24, 2021, 7:00 PM

Click here to register for the program.

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