Boyertown PA
2-10-2023 4:03am

Assistant District Attorney, BASH Alum Justin Bodor, Seeks Justice with a Difference, Announces Run for Judge

by Jane Stahl

Just a month ago, Boyertown High School graduate Class of ’98, Justin Bodor, Assistant District Attorney, and I recorded a “B Inspired” podcast episode exploring his career journey and personal mission. At the time, he shared the passion he had for his position as Assistant DA; and while I asked him if he had a plan for a career path going forward, he was determined to focus on serving the public in the position he held.

Little did he know that the judicial landscape would change unexpectedly and that he’d be encouraged to run for an open seat for Berks County Judge on the Court of Common Pleas. But the moment arrived, and he’s taken the leap.

I’ve known Justin for a long time. He and my son grew up together as elementary school classmates, as participating members in a pre-teen Sunday School discussion group, and, in their high school senior year, as inductees into the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouts and baseball occupied Justin’s early life; the skills and teamwork he developed then are evident in his character and work ethic today.

With a goal of becoming a corporate lawyer, Justin’s career began as a public defender then shifted to private practice before switching to prosecuting attorney in the District Attorney’s office where he happily serves today. Justin credits the experiences he had working in the District Attorney’s office under John Adams in honing his ethos: recognizing that the goal isn’t just to win in the courtroom but to do the right thing…by the victims, and also be fair to people charged with crimes.

“I really enjoy every day of my job,” Justin shares. “Every day is different—and every day I have a chance to make the ‘right’ decisions to make a difference in the lives of those who have ended up in the criminal system.”

Continuing, he offers, “I’ve handled cases from petty theft to murder—and everything else in between. These experiences come with the judgment and confidence to make tough decisions,” he continues. Making the tough decisions is part of the job; but in making the right decisions, if I keep the right reasons in the forefront, I feel confident in making them for the people of Berks County.”

Reflecting on the judicial system, he adds, “We have the best judicial system and constitutional process in the world, but it is the duty of those of us who work in the system to keep it that way, to exemplify in all case to all who come before us and to the public as a whole.”

And, “People ask how my personal views and the laws of judicial ethics impact decisions. In recognizing that every case is different, it is the facts, the rules of evidence, and the law that inform the judgments.”

Justin comments that often the disadvantages created by poverty, lack of adequate education and mental health services, affordable housing, food scarcity, and the disease of drug addiction are instrumental in setting people on a path toward crime.

“The criminal justice system does not have a blank check; we need to utilize resources effectively. But it is clear to me that greater funding for mental health services would lead to fewer instances of repeated incarcerations,” he adds.

“Funding toward programs like those in drug treatment courts that assist offenders who want to make a change in their lives would be money well spent. These 18-24-month programs help break the cycle of imprisonment. Finding work, developing skills, overcoming estranged relationships with family members and their children make real differences, positive differences, in people’s lives,” he explains. “Seeing people change, improve their lives, is the inspiring part of the job and where I find the most meaning.”

“We need, of course, to keep Berks County citizens safe from truly harmful people. Fortunately, I find that the percentage of truly dangerous criminals are few. Most have mis-stepped, made poor decisions, or suffer from illness and honestly want to make a change.”

“I am fortunate also in that I have the great honor of working with the police who are some of the finest people I’ve ever met. They, as well as EMT’s, firefighters, and others, put their lives on the line to serve us. And all of us in the court system must work together to do the ‘right thing’ for our constituents, to get offenders on the ‘right track,’ and to find justice for the victims,” he offers.

Reflecting on today’s national climate, Justin allows that, unfortunately, politics has become a team sport where there are winners and losers, a zero-sum game that discourages cooperation. His Berks County experience, however, is different. “We all work together toward a common goal and believe in service above self.”

“I have lived the American Dream. I feel blessed in growing up in Boyertown—a very special kind of place, in being part of a strong public school system with great teachers, with volunteers like my Scoutmasters who found time to devote to the development of the troops under their leadership. As a father today, I know what a sacrifice that time commitment is,” he admits.

Justin and his wife Jessica are parents of two children—Charlotte, 7, and Gavin, 4 who will participate in the activities his campaign demands whenever possible and were part of the family’s decision for him to seek higher office.

Looking toward the future for improvements, Justin encourages an understanding that the national media doesn’t always have what’s good for the community as its top commitment. Instead, seeking high ratings and chasing advertising revenue make “if it bleeds, it leads” and entertaining the audiences the top priority. “It’s about ‘the fight,’” he explains.

Yet, he has sincere sympathy and respect for local media knowing how hard they work under today’s constraints of inadequate staffing. “They always say that ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant,’ he quips. “It’s important in our local communities to have accurate information that our local media provide, and it keeps people accountable and makes for a good community. And, because we’re all in this life together, finding a way to build each of us up benefits us all.”

Concern for making the “right decisions,” and maintaining the integrity of the courts in which everyone has the opportunity to be heard and treated with respect have kept Justin up at night in his current position. Concern for the safety of Berks County, recognizing the impact on others, weighs heavily on his shoulders.

Yet, in his bid of Judge on the Court of Common Pleas, he promises, as his life’s work, and because he loves the community he grew up in and for all it has done for him, to work hard and search for fair and unbiased decisions that keep the community and his constituents safe and on their best paths possible.

Justin is cross-filed in May’s upcoming primary. More information on his campaign is available online. 

Justin is a guest on the “B Inspired” podcast in which he shares his views and the values that inform him. “B Inspired” can be found on your favorite podcast platform including Spotify, Anchor.fm, Google, Apple, and Castbox, for example. On Spotify or Anchor.fm: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/bYR89cGsjxb

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