Offering Second Chances

By Daniel C. Nevins, Esquire

Berks Bar members and attorneys from MidPenn Legal Services spent an evening meeting with 100 people looking for a second chance to provide for their families and improve their lives.

The Second Chance Pardon and Expungement Clinic on Jan. 12 at the DoubleTree Hotel was a collaborative effort spearheaded by Reading Magisterial District Judges Tonya Butler and Carissa Johnson. The two MDJs partnered with the Bar Association, MidPenn Legal Services, Berks Connections/PreTrial Services, and state Sen. Judy Schwank to host the event featuring District Attorney John Adams and former Pennsylvania Pardon Board Secretary Celeste Trusty. State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz of Reading, State Rep. Manny Guzman of Reading, Berks County Commissioner Michael Rivera, and Berks County COO Kevin Barnhardt also attended the event.

At the heart of the event were the attorneys who volunteered their time to provide counsel to individuals seeking an expungement, sealing or pardon of past criminal convictions –most of which occurred several years or decades ago.

The volunteer opportunity provided members with a hands-on and rewarding pro bono experience.

In a particularly fortuitous moment, I met a man I first represented a decade ago. He's nearly three years sober after a lifetime of addiction, employed full time at a non-profit and giving back to the community. Time stood still as we caught up, and I listened to his story.

Though, given the nature of his prior convictions, he was not eligible for an expungement, we discussed the possibility of applying for a Governor's pardon. Regardless, I was grateful to have this conversation and especially heartened to learn about the freedom that he's found at this stage in his journey.

In addition to serving the community, volunteer attorneys who attended a seminar prior to the clinic received a free CLE credit.

Kathryn Wentzel, managing attorney at MidPenn's Reading Office, and Colleen Dugan, supervising assistant district attorney in Berks County, led the seminar and training program held at the Bar Association building. The training walked volunteers through recent legislative efforts to broaden the availability of the sealing and expungement of criminal records, particularly in the case of lower level misdemeanors. The practical instruction shared was comprehensive and had volunteers prepared and motivated for the challenge ahead.

Our bar is working to expand opportunities for all members – regardless of your pratice area – to give back to the community through pro bono service. Learning about new areas of law while helping many of our neighbors in need is an experience you will not regret.

Daniel C. Nevins is Vice President of the Berks County Bar Association and a criminal defense attorney with Ebner, Nevins & McAllister in downtown Reading.