Sheriff Proposes Limits on Court-Ordered Audit
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal has proposed narrowing a settlement that would bring a forensic audit and compliance examiner to her office.
Philadelphia Criminal Justice News
This page covers criminal justice in Philadelphia, from court proceedings and sentencing to bail, prosecution and prisons. Reporting follows the city's courts, prosecutors and the agencies that run its jails and reform programs.
Recent news
November 4, 2026
Court Overturns Contempt Conviction for Courtroom OutburstPennsylvania's highest court ruled that cursing at a Philadelphia judge did not amount to punishable criminal contempt.
October 21, 2026
Pennsylvania Court Reviews Order for L'Oreal DepositionsThe state superior court will weigh a judge's ruling requiring two executives to testify in a local mass tort case.
October 20, 2026
Exonerated Man Sues Philadelphia Over Wrongful ConvictionAndre Harvey is suing after serving 41 years in prison for a 1982 murder conviction that was overturned in 2024.
October 20, 2026
DOJ Subpoenas Philadelphia DA OfficeFederal investigators are looking into potential obstruction of justice claims regarding the office's handling of court cases.
October 14, 2026
Judge Paul Diamond Denied Recusal in Krasner CaseThe federal judge rejected a request to remove him from a case involving Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
October 8, 2026
Incarcerated Patients Faced Radiology Follow-Up GapsA Philadelphia study revealed that fewer than 10 percent of incarcerated patients completed required radiology follow-ups.
October 8, 2026
Philadelphia Prosecutors Resigned Following Court DisputeTwo supervisors stepped down after District Attorney Larry Krasner refused to correct statements in federal filings.
September 30, 2026
Krasner Filed Motion Requesting Judge RecusalPhiladelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has asked U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond to step down from a federal case.
September 25, 2026
Judge Reduced Supplemental Attorney Fees in Hicks CaseA federal judge awarded $135,795 for fee petition litigation, denying a request for over $357,000.
September 22, 2026
Former Philadelphia Prison Sergeant Sentenced for AbuseChristopher Knight received 42 months in prison for pepper-spraying five inmates and falsifying official records.
Regular subjects here include criminal trials, sentencing decisions, bail rules, prosecutorial charging policy and conviction reviews. Coverage reaches across the city and into the surrounding suburbs wherever a case or policy crosses county lines. Philadelphia's dense court calendar and its large jail population make case backlogs and detention conditions recurring stories. Changes to charging and bail policy often generate more reporting than individual verdicts do.