If you have been charged with a crime in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. This program is designed to provide first-time offenders with an opportunity to have their charges dismissed upon successful completion of the program.
The ARD program is available to individuals who have been charged with DUI, drug offenses, theft, or other less serious crimes. However, not all individuals who apply for the program will be accepted.
To be eligible for the ARD program, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a first-time offender with no prior criminal record.
- The offense must not involve firearms, or serious injury or death to another person.
- The offense must not involve a sexual offense.
- Although you do not plead guilty and entry into the program is not a confession or admission of wrongdoing, you must, to a degree, be willing to accept responsibility at some level for the offense. Otherwise, you’d go to trial.
- You must agree to comply with all conditions of the program, including community service, probation-like supervision, and drug and alcohol treatment.
If you are accepted into the ARD program, you will be required to complete a probationary period of supervision. During this time, you will be required to complete community service, pay fees and court costs, pay any restitution, and attend drug and alcohol treatment if necessary.
Once you have successfully completed the program, your charges will be dismissed, and you will be eligible to have your criminal record expunged. Some counties automatically expunge the person’s record upon successful completion. Most do not.
The benefits of the ARD program are clear. If you are accepted into the program, you will avoid a criminal conviction, which can have a serious impact on your future employment and educational opportunities.
However, it is important to understand that the ARD program is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. If you fail to complete the program or violate any of its conditions, you will be removed from the program and your case will be sent back to court for trial.
If you are facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania and believe you may be eligible for the ARD program, it is important to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand your options. An attorney can help you navigate the complex legal system and work to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
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