Today I represented a client charged with felony Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement for an incident occurring in Reading, Pennsylvania. It was alleged that he led police on a high speed chase throughout the City of Reading while committing about a dozen vehicle code violations before crashing his vehicle into a city rowhome. Based on sentencing guidelines he was looking at a sentence starting at a minimum of 6 to 16 months in prison if convicted.
Fortunately, I was able to get my client accepted into the Berks County Intermediate Punishment Program. This program is available for certain offenders who would otherwise be facing a County sentence in Berks County Prison. Instead of a jail sentence, an approved candidate is placed on an Electronic Monitor and given house arrest and a period of probation. Typically, one is also permitted to come and go from work and any other necessary appointments. Clearly, a preferred alternative to incarceration. In my client’s case he avoided a County sentence of 6 to 23 months plus probation and instead was placed on house arrest for a period of 6 months plus probation.
There are several alternative sentencing programs available in Berks County. Even if you are told that you are facing a long jail sentence that may not necessarily be the case. You may be eligible for ARD, County Intermediate Punishment, State Intermediate Punishment, RRRI, or one of the Treatment Court Programs. The attarneys at Nevins & McAllister are well versed in sentencing alternatives in Berks County. Call us for a free consultation to discuss special sentencing programs in Reading and Berks County, PA.
