Delco Defenders

Congratulations to the 2025 class of Delco Defenders! These amazing new attorneys were just sworn in by Delaware County's President Judge Linda Cartisano. The future is bright at the Delco Defenders!

https://delcopa.gov/publicrelations/releases/2025/cwelshhighlights.html

Delaware County Public Defender Chris Welsh Highlights Progress and Impact of His Office - Communications and Public Affairs Releases - Delaware County, Pennsylvania Delaware County, PA — Delaware County Public Defender Chris Welsh presented to County Council and the public during the July 16 County Council Meeting, sharing a five-year progress report on his office and its critical role in the County’s criminal justice system.

Defender Chris Welsh is loaded up with Gritty and Phanatic gear for the County’s bring-your-child-to-work day mock trial (artfully crafted in 2024 by former PFJ Sophie Cloerec and revamped for 2025 by Defender Welsh). Saquon Barclay ring robbed! Gritty grieves grift and finger-points at Phanatic but Phanatic found faultless in full and fair mock trial forum.

The public defender community shows up for its own. Assistant Training Director for the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania (PDAP), Elizabeth Wood-Bennett, travelled to Harrisburg to support Delco Defender's First Assistant, Lee Awbrey, during her appearance before the PA Supreme Court in which she argued to protect the constitutional privacy rights of Pennsylvania's drivers.

Delco Defender attorney Andrea West did a great job moderating a roundtable discussion hosted by PDAP: Public Defenders of Color Discuss their Experiences Navigating the Court System. Joining other panelists from around the state was our own juvenile social service advocate, Natacha Carroll. Thank you to all of the presenters for sharing your experiences and valuable insights and thank you, PDAP, for your ongoing support and education of the public defense community.

Congratulations to three of our Delco Defender team who were recognized by the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania for their contributions to public defense in 2024. From right to left, Lead Investigator Alyssa Biederman and Case Aide Sabrina Albright—winners of the 2024 Lifesaver Award—and Assistant Public Defender Anna Hinchman, finalist for the David Crowley Award.

Delco Defenders will close for the New Year holiday at 2 p.m. on December 31, 2024, reopening on January 2, 2025.

Earlier this month we welcomed four of our new attorneys to the profession with a swearing-in ceremony at the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. Much thanks to President Judge Cartisano for conducting the ceremony. These talented attorneys with competitive credentials could work anywhere in any area of law—we are so glad they choose to be Delco Defenders.

Thank you, Nationalities Services Center, for a highly-informative training on immigration-related consequences of criminal prosecution. Great turnout at this event hosted by the Delaware County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Celebrating another year of zealous advocacy, mitigated outcomes, not guilty verdicts, litigated motions, social service supports, trainings, successful investigations, increased programming, and amazing colleagues at the Delco Defender holiday party.