Bucks County Section 17 Program: Probation Without Verdict
The Section 17 Program, also known as Probation Without Verdict or Section 17 Probation, is a voluntary program open to those charged with first time, nonviolent, misdemeanor drug offenses and who are drug dependent.
If you are a first-time drug offender in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the possibility exists for you to go through a diversionary program that will lead to your charges being dropped and your record being completely expunged.
Section 17 of the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, allows offenders to undergo a period of probation to avoid a misdemeanor drug conviction on their record. Upon completion of the program, the drug-related crime is permanently dismissed.
Call 215-340-1134 to find out if you are eligible and get started now!
Eligibility & Acceptance into the Bucks County Section 17 Program
Who is Eligible for Section 17 in Bucks County, PA?
To be eligible for the Bucks County Section 17 Probation Program, you must be a first-time offender charged with a non-violent misdemeanor drug offense such as drug possession or drug paraphernalia offenses.
Acceptance into the Section 17 Program:
Admission into the Section 17 Program takes place in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. Participants must:
Who Does NOT Qualify for the Section 17 Program?
Defendants are ineligible for the Section 17 Program if they:
Successful Completion of the Bucks County Section 17 Program
What Happens Once I Complete the Section 17 Program?
Participants who successfully complete all terms and conditions of the Bucks County Section 17 Program will be discharged from the program and have their charges dismissed and automatically expunged.
Discharge and dismissal shall be without adjudication of guilt and shall not constitute a conviction for any purpose whatever, including the penalties imposed for second or subsequent convictions.
Can I participate in the Section 17 Program more than once?
Keep in mind that you are eligible for the Section 17 probation program only once. If you are arrested for a drug crime again, you will have to deal with severe legal consequences. Know that the court does keep a list of those persons placed in the Section 17 Program which may only be used to determine the eligibility of persons for the program and for no other purpose whatsoever.
Moreover, participation in the Section 17 program does not eliminate a person’s eligibility, at a later date, for consideration for the ARD program due to an ARD-eligible offense.
Failure to Complete the Bucks County Section 17 Program
What If I Do Not Complete All Conditions of the Section 17 Program?
It is crucial that, once you begin the Section 17 Program, you fulfill all the conditions required of you by the court. If for any reason you do not complete your program obligations, violate any terms of probation, or obtain new charges, you will be sentenced in accordance with your plea and have a criminal record. In other words, you will automatically be guilty of the charges against you because you already pled guilty.
Bucks County Section 17 Program Attorney
Criminal defense attorney Keith J. Williams, Esq. has decades of experience defending clients against criminal charges and has a comprehensive understanding of the laws and procedures the Bucks County Section 17 Probation Program.
As an experienced attorney, Keith J. Williams can help determine if you are eligible for the Bucks County Section 17 Probation Program, if the program is the right option for you, help you successfully apply for admission, and guide you through this difficult time.
For more information on the Bucks County Section 17 Probation Program, call experienced attorney Keith J. Williams now at 215-340-1134!
To find out if you are eligible for the Bucks County Section 17 Probation Program, call Keith J. Williams at 215-340-1134.
Need an Award-Winning Lawyer? Contact Keith J. Williams Law Today!
