Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Statistics in Philadelphia
380 (daily avg)
Youth in Philadelphia Juvenile Facilities
2,000+
Kids for Cash Victims from Luzerne County
$206M+
Total Kids for Cash Civil Settlements
400+
Juvenile Detention Abuse Cases Filed in PA (2019-2023)
Courts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Pennsylvania
601 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
1301 Filbert St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hospitals & Trauma Centers in Philadelphia
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — Trauma Recovery Program
3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Liability Considerations in Philadelphia
Philadelphia's Role in Juvenile Justice Accountability
Philadelphia is home to the Juvenile Law Center — the nation's oldest public interest law firm focused on juvenile justice — and has been a center of advocacy and litigation around juvenile facility conditions for decades. The Kids for Cash scandal in nearby Luzerne County, though not in Philadelphia itself, was litigated primarily through the Middle District of Pennsylvania and created a template for institutional accountability that Philadelphia attorneys have applied to cases involving Philadelphia-area facilities.
The Eastern District of Pennsylvania has developed significant expertise in civil rights claims involving youth detention, making it a favorable venue for federal claims.
Your Legal Team
James Washington
Senior Partner — Civil Rights Litigation
Philadelphia, PA
James Washington has dedicated his 22-year career to representing those harmed by institutional failures — from wrongfully convicted prisoners to children abused in state custody. He represented victims in the Kids for Cash scandal in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, securing millions in recovery for families whose children were wrongfully sentenced to detention for judicial profit. James has served as an expert witness before Pennsylvania legislative committees on juvenile facility conditions and has been recognized by the Philadelphia Bar Association for his civil rights work. He brings deep expertise in Section 1983 federal civil rights litigation against government actors.
Education
- J.D., Howard University School of Law
- B.A., Political Science, Morehouse College
James Washington
Senior Partner
Philadelphia, PA
James Washington has dedicated his 22-year career to representing those harmed by institutional failures — from wrongfully convicted prisoners to children abused in state custody. He represented victims in the Kids for Cash scandal in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and continues to be a leading voice for juvenile justice reform. James has served as an expert witness before Pennsylvania legislative committees on juvenile facility conditions and has been recognized by the Philadelphia Bar Association for his civil rights work.
Education
- J.D., Howard University School of Law (2002)
- B.A., Political Science, Morehouse College (1999)