Reading criminal defense lawyer David R. Eshelman has been practicing federal and state criminal law in Pennsylvania since 1975. His experience dealing with a wide range of criminal charges has earned him the respect of the Berks County legal community. Whether you have been charged with a crime or suspect you will be investigated in connection with one, look to David R. Eshelman for savvy counsel and an aggressive defense informed by years of interaction with the Pennsylvania justice system. Comprehensive, experienced, vigorous criminal defense counsel At David R. Eshelman, A Professional Corporation, we have more than 40 years of experience in all kinds of criminal defense law, including capital offenses and expungements. When your life and freedoms are on the line, we commit to aggressively defending your rights. We offer: Vigorous representation: We explore all avenues for your defense, including a plea bargain, bench trial or jury trial. Experienced counsel: Over the past 40 years, we have developed strong contacts within the Berks County legal community and have defended clients against all types of charges. Respected reputation in the community: Our successes have earned the respect of defendants and lawyers in Reading. In fact, many of our clients are referred to us by lawyers who recommend our services. Representation throughout Berks County: We represent you in any Berks County court. Formidable criminal defense for any charge Our Reading criminal defense office vigorously defends all criminal law cases, from drug charges and drunk driving to felonies and underage drinking charges. We can help with: Drugs: From simple possession or paraphernalia charges to manufacturing and distribution charges, we can defend you against drug crimes. DUI/DWI misdemeanors: If you are charged with a DUI or DWI in Reading or Berks County, our experienced legal team can get the best disposition possible. Expungements: Removing a charge from your record can make a major difference in your employment prospects. We can help get certain charges expunged. Underage drinking: Many college students and other young people make mistakes with alcohol. We can minimize the effect of underage drinking charges on your future.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Alcohol or a Controlled Substance in Reading and Berks County Proven and experienced Pennsylvania DUI defense for all motorists The penalties for drinking and driving in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are severe if you are convicted. For more than 40 years, David R. Eshelman, A Professional Corporation has kept students, parents and others from being convicted and has ensured they can get back to fuller, better lives in Reading and throughout Berks County. Our experience means we know how to defend you and how to see through the prosecution. Strict penalties need superior counsel Since 2004, penalties in Pennsylvania for DUIs have been harsher than ever before. Having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more means you are intoxicated and should not be driving. Having 0.10 percent or more is considered a high rate of alcohol. And minors driving with at least 0.02 percent BAC will face drunk driving charges, among other penalties for underage drinking. David R. Eshelman tirelessly works to ensure that his clients get the best results achievable under the law. What could happen if I am charged with DUI? In many cases, first-time offenders who are convicted by guilty plea or trial serve at least a few days in jail and lose their driving privileges for some period of time. The penalties become more severe for second and subsequent offenders and higher blood alcohol concentration levels. Berks County averages more than 1,200 DUI prosecutions each year. Fortunately, alternatives exist to incarceration in Berks County, and our firm is familiar with all of them. For most first-time offenders, the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program is available. ARD is a pretrial diversionary program where a defendant agrees to participate (not plead guilty) in exchange for probation and a shorter license suspension. Upon completion of the program, all charges are dismissed and the records are expunged, although ARD does count as a prior DUI offense in the event of a second or subsequent DUI arrest within 10 years. Berks County is one of the few counties in the state to offer treatment programs to second and subsequent DUI offenders who face mandatory minimum periods of jail time. The second-time offender program (STOP) allows defendants to receive credit on their jail sentences after residing at a halfway house or serving house arrest with outpatient counseling. Many third-time and subsequent offenders are offered treatment court as a way to shorten the period of time that must be spent in jail by participating in treatment and intensive counseling and supervision.