Theft, driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance – having one or more of these offenses on your record can seriously impact both your personal and professional life. Even for first-time offenders, the penalties of a DUI, for example, can include but are not limited to:

  • Months of probation
  • Hundreds of dollars in fines
  • Up to six months in jail
  • Driver’s license suspension

In Pennsylvania, the law acknowledges that one legal misstep does not necessarily reflect a person’s true character. The law recognizes that one lapse in judgment does not necessarily mean a person will engage in future criminal activity. In some cases, a first-time offender can be granted a second chance and an opportunity to move on with his or her life with a clean record.  

Whether it be theft, a DUI, disorderly conduct, or any other non-violent offense, if you’re experiencing a first-time arrest and no one was injured, Bucks County DUI defense lawyer Keith J. Williams can help you earn a second chance through the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program.

What is the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program?

A pre-trial intervention program offered exclusively to first-time, non-violent offenders in the state of Pennsylvania, the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program helps divert eligible persons from entering into the criminal justice system and having their records tarnished by a criminal conviction. If accepted into the ARD program, the Commonwealth will drop the charge if a series of court-ordered conditions are completed by the offender.

What are the benefits of the ARD Program?

Considered a diversionary program to help discourage ongoing criminal behavior, Pennsylvania’s ARD program can be a life-altering wake-up call for a non-violent, first-time offender. Acceptance into the ARD program doesn’t just enable the offender to avoid the mandatory penalties that typically accompany a conviction; it allows him or her to pursue a brighter future unencumbered by a criminal record. He or she won’t have to worry about a past conviction turning up on a background check when applying for a job, seeking approval for a loan, or attempting to secure housing. 

In addition to avoiding a criminal conviction, the ARD Program offers all of the following benefits:

  • No costly or time-consuming trial or legal proceedings
  • No time in jail
  • No criminal record
  • Reduced period of driver’s license suspension
  • Eligibility for expungement (the sealing of the offender’s arrest record)

How do I know if I am eligible for the ARD Program?

To be eligible for the ARD program, you must be a first-time offender, and the District Attorney must approve you. Sometimes the term “first-time offender” can be ambiguous, so to make things clear, a first-time offender is someone who has never been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony crimes in the state of Pennsylvania or any other jurisdiction across the nation.

Other eligibility factors include:

  • Charges are non-violent
  • No third party were harmed or killed (for drinking and driving convictions)
  • Have not already been convicted
  • Any previous participation in the ARD program was at least 10 years ago
  • Application for admission is submitted by deadline

What offenses are eligible for the ARD Program?

  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Retail Theft
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Criminal Mischief
  • Disorderly Conduct

How do I apply for the ARD Program?

Each Pennsylvania county has its own set of requirements for applying to the ARD program. The first step toward filing an application is to seek the guidance of a criminal defense attorney who can determine your eligibility and help you put together a successful application. 

Then, if you are approved by the District Attorney to enter the ARD program, it’s vital to have an attorney by your side to:

  • Guide you through the court hearing in which you’re formally placed into the program.
  • Ensure you complete the ARD program requirements
  • Seek the expungement of your arrest record once you have completed program requirements. 

It’s important to note that some PA counties, such as Bucks County, will automatically expunge your record after you complete the ARD program, but others will not.

If you feel you meet all of the eligibility requirements needed to participate in the Pennsylvania Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program or would like further information, contact the law firm of Keith J. Williams – Warminster, PA’s most dedicated DUI defense lawyer, today at 215-340-1134.