An Ounce of Prevention

As a criminal defense law firm serving Berks County for almost 40 years, we protect the rights of the accused—oftentimes individuals marginalized in society and later, in the criminal justice system.

When crimes are committed, criminal defense lawyers work with the justice system to achieve the best possible outcome for each defendant.  For adults, sometimes that best outcome might unfortunately mean serving prison time. For youth, it might mean time spent in a detention center.

While loss of liberty deters crime and protects society, individuals serving jail terms eventually face the challenge of community reentry—an especially fraught time for at-risk youth and adults.

Berks Connections / Pretrial Services (BCPS)[H1] is a non-profit organization structured to provide support, resources, and connection to individuals and families involved in the Pennsylvania criminal justice and juvenile justice system.

Receiving the 2009 Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award from the National Criminal Justice Association, BCPS serves as a link between community and justice systems by pursing these aims:

• Reduce recidivism for detained youth and jailed inmates
• Provide pre- and post-release community outreach, services, and support to inmates and their families
• Offer recreation, education, and community service projects to detained youth encouraging development of responsibility and self-esteem

As past president of BCPS, our principal attorney, David Eshelman continues to work to strengthen the BCPS mandate to provide essential support to youths, adults, and families during the vulnerable period of community reentry.  The old expression says that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  That is often true when it comes to crime.