Make law a superpower for youth leaders.

Welcome to the Peer Defense Project

We develop free legal education, technology, and referrals so that youth leaders and their allies can use the law for power.

Tell us about yourself.

  • I am a young person or an adult ally.

    I am between 14-25 years of age (or I am an adult ally suporting a young person). I want to learn the law, build legal skills or talk to a lawyer or legal worker to build youth power.

    LET'S GET STARTED

  • I am a lawyer or legal worker.

    I am an adult attorney, legal worker, or law student over 25 years of age looking to support young leaders and join the network.

    JOIN US

  • I am a supporter.

    Iā€™d like to donate to the Peer Defense Project. When you donate, you become a part of our support circle and get weekly updates on the impact that we make together for youth justice!

    DONATE

Youth face injustice every day.

The United States incarcerates more children than any other country in the world. The largest school systems in our country remain the most racially segregated. Young people live as the poorest age group in America, with children of color, children under five, children of single mothers, and children in the South suffering from the highest poverty rates.  Over 90% of the civil legal of low income youth go unmet. All of this is happening on a planet in a climate crisis, devastating marginalized communities.

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In the face of these intersecting injustices, thousands of young people have mobilized and protestedā€” more than ever before. Peer Defense Project works so that all young people can use the law in their fight for justice and for their lives.

News & Updates

Let’s celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Month by prioritizing emotional well-being and understanding your healthcare rights. Seek support when needed to nurture your mental health journey. šŸ§ šŸŒ» #EmotionalWellness #HealthcareAdvocacy #BIPOCHealth
Let’s celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Month by prioritizing emotional well-being and understanding your healthcare rights. Seek support when needed to nurture your mental health journey. šŸ§ šŸŒ» #EmotionalWellness #HealthcareAdvocacy #BIPOCHealth
The fight for queer and trans rights has made significant strides, but our work is far from over. This month, we aim to provide LGBTQ+ youth of color with a comprehensive library of resources to learn about their resistance and protections. Last week
The fight for queer and trans rights has made significant strides, but our work is far from over. This month, we aim to provide LGBTQ+ youth of color with a comprehensive library of resources to learn about their resistance and protections. Last week, we focused on the Constitution and the unique barriers youth face under current legal frameworks; this week, we’re sharing laws that come out of Congress called “statutes.” #queeryouthofcolor #queer #transrights #education #titleix
This Juneteenth, we celebrate with a commitment to honor the history and ongoing fight for freedom and equality while providing essential resources and support for Black LGBTQ+ Youth! Click the link in our bio for more! #knowyourrights #juneteenth #
This Juneteenth, we celebrate with a commitment to honor the history and ongoing fight for freedom and equality while providing essential resources and support for Black LGBTQ+ Youth! Click the link in our bio for more! #knowyourrights #juneteenth #pride #legaltoolkit
Let’s celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Month by prioritizing emotional well-being and understanding your healthcare rights. Seek support when needed to nurture your mental health journey. šŸ§ šŸŒ» #EmotionalWellness #HealthcareAdvocacy #BIPOCHealth The fight for queer and trans rights has made significant strides, but our work is far from over. This month, we aim to provide LGBTQ+ youth of color with a comprehensive library of resources to learn about their resistance and protections. Last week This Juneteenth, we celebrate with a commitment to honor the history and ongoing fight for freedom and equality while providing essential resources and support for Black LGBTQ+ Youth! Click the link in our bio for more! #knowyourrights #juneteenth #

Disclaimer

Do not use this site to replace a lawyer or share private information.

The tools and services we provide are not intended to create an attorney-client relationship between you or PDP. The information provided in the educational materials and community meetings is not intended to constitute legal advice and should not be substituted for the advice of or in lieu of consultation with an attorney. PDP seeks to keep information up-to-date and accurate but cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information. PDP disclaims any liability for errors that may be contained in its public education materials and community-facilitated meetings and shall not be responsible for any damages, consequential or actual, arising out of or in connection with the use of this information. PDP makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the quality, content, accuracy, or completeness of the information, text graphics, links, and other items in its public education materials and community-facilitated meetings. Different states also have very different laws from the ones we might discuss in our public education materials and community-facilitated meetings.