Collateral Consequences

Collateral Consequences are the things that happen to people convicted of crime other than having a criminal record and the sentence that they serve.  Pennsylvanians face hundreds of collateral consequences of criminal convictions, but there are things that they can do, with the help of civil legal aid attorneys, to undo collateral consequences.  And there are things that Public Defenders can do to make sure their clients understand the collateral consequences of a plea deal or guilty verdict and to minimize the impact of those consequences on their clients lives.  The materials linked to this page will help you understand those consequences and help you do better by your clients.

Across the early part of 2022, PDAP put on a Collateral Consequences Training series, in partnership with Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP).  The training materials from that series are linked here above, by topic.  You’ll find both written materials and the videos from those online trainings. On this page you will find general information on collateral consequences and how to contact your local civil legal aid lawyers to consult with them (or refer clients).  Their help, like yours, is free.