City of Philadelphia

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Criminal and Juvenile Justice Debt Relief Program

Paying criminal and juvenile justice debt to repay victims of crime, increase economic mobility, and remove barriers to record clearing.

About

The Criminal and Juvenile Justice Debt Relief Program pays the justice debt of Philadelphians who live in low-income households. The program is intended to enhance community wellbeing and public safety by:

  • Increasing access to employment, housing, and economic opportunity for individuals with clearable records.
  • Allowing individuals to contribute more to their families and communities.
  • Enhancing equity in the justice system.

A large portion of funds will be used to pay restitution to Philadelphia victims of crime. Payments will range up to $15,000.

Connect

Email justice-debt-relief@phila.gov

Process and eligibility

Individuals cannot directly apply for debt relief. Instead, the City identifies eligible Philadelphians by reviewing court data and consulting with legal services organizations.

Participants must live in a low-income household and not be currently incarcerated.

Eligibility is determined on an ongoing basis when funding is available.

Resources

Clean Slate explainer from Community Services
If you have a criminal record, you may be newly eligible for record clearing under the Clean Slate 3.0 legislation passed in December 2023.
How to find legal help
Enter the location where you were arrested. Choose “Employment”, and then choose “Criminal Records Expungement, Record Sealing & Pardons.
What is justice debt, and why does it matter?
This short video interviews experts on the positive impact our program has on Philadelphians when we pay down their justice-related debt.

Partners

  • First Judicial District of Pennsylvania
  • Defender Association of Philadelphia
  • Philadelphia District Attorney’s Transparency Analytics (DATA) Lab
  • Office of Public Safety
  • Philadelphia Office of the Victim Advocate
  • Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity
  • Community Legal Services
  • Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity
  • Clarifi

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