Defender Association of Philadelphia

My daughter was a victim of Childhood Sexual abuse by her biological father. Unfortunately i was not able to afford a lawyer for trial, after waiting 5 years for trial we were assigned to a defender by the name of Raja Patel. It was “ONE” day before the trial she called us to come down to talk to us for the first time. We were rushed, she really took NO TIME AT ALL to really get to learn the case and to get to know us as people. She sat with my daughter for approx an hour and then basically said she will see us tomorrow AT TRIAL! Mind you this case had A LOT of evidence that she never asked for, possibly she didn’t know we had it because she never took the time with us to know anything! My daughter and myself have never been through anything like this before so we put our trust in this woman and she FAILED MY DAUGHTER BIG TIME! We had so many witnesses phone records and more and we were never asked for any of it from Raja. I hope she steps back and NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER TAKES ON A CASE such as one as ours again! BC she also failed the people with a child sex offender walking free. He did receive jail time but it was NOT justice for daughter myself or family and friends because the LACK OF EFFORT in this case was pathetic.

I just want to take this moment to appreciate all help you guys give me in my case I really appreciate and admire you guys for work you do but I feel like you guys have extra extra work and I hire a private lawyer in my case but I really appreciate god bless you all

The system is crazy stay out of it and away from it! You don't have to commit a crime to get a hundred thousand dollars bond! Someone can simply say you did something to them and they are arresting you. It happened to me and I turned myself in because I knew that I was innocent. It did not matter they gave me a ridiculous bill so I couldn't get out. Then you are not allowed to say nothing until trial 1 to 2 years down the road. It's corrupt. But if you have a gun or murder you cool. Crazy right!

I had to go to 1301 filbert street then walk here , I couldn’t find it , I was lost , confused, mad , cold etc , I finally found it and the man was like ready to help me but than goes on to say they close at 1 pm on Fridays !!!! I was so mad and upset , I paid 20$ for parking , ran around like a crazy person , I’m not sure how true this is / so now I have to go back on Monday to get my issues fixed , hopefully! I just think it was very weird and the hours didn’t say 1pm!!!! other people arrived and weren’t so happy , people walk , drive , take off work for theses things and stuff like this happens!! It’s life but it sucked ! Hope I have better luck Monday !!!

Man I remember I caught a case for something I thought was right defending my mom I was 16yrs old in 1995 I was sentence to 7 in a half to 15yrs plus 10yrs probation and 10yrs parole. Got released on 12/20/01 on good terms. Walked off 6 yrs I worked behind them at CVS and there I met byron carter this guy gave me my life back. I never looked back kept moving forward as many times they tried to send me back for no reason he seen I was a good guy and i hated domestic violets. He gave them back all the yrs I had left. Turn around and told me live your life sorry that you had to learn the hard way.. congratulations your a free man with no ties. I almost passed out. Till this day I would love to thank that man. And tell him I never went back. And no man never touched or hit on my mom again. Thank you so much byron carter free since 2006..

Very helpful curtious. Got me connected to the exact people I needed to talk to.

Everyone deserves good legal representation. In Philadelphia, the "Defender Association of Philadelphia represents approximately seventy percent of all persons arrested in" in the city!

My experience was great. Luke Trama is one of the brightest, kindest, public defenders I have ever met. Not only that, he gave me that personal touch you don't usually find. He is the BEST OF THE BEST. He really cares about his clients and their families.

I am aware everything has been slow due to Covid, however I am POA for someone else, and have been waiting 2+ weeks for someone to contact myself or the other party so that they can retain an attorney. Application has been submitted, an email requesting help in the matter, plus a few status request calls by myself and the party I am POA over. Still have received no response to either one of us.

Disrespectful lawyer staff, no one really cared to win my case. No one communicated, definitely the worst representation you could have. I pray for everyone who has no choice but to deal with them!