If you have no prior criminal record, or a limited criminal history, you may be eligible for the Pennsylvania Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARD). ARD is a pre-trial intervention program for individuals who qualify. Your eligibility for the program is determined by the District Attorney. If approved, it can enable you to minimize or reduce the penalties for these charges, and, in most cases, it will result in the criminal charges being wiped from your record altogether.
We will complete and submit all of the information and documentation required for entry into the ARD program. In more difficult cases, we can also speak with the District Attorney and explain your personal circumstances to assist with your acceptance into the ARD program. It is important to recognize that Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon Counties all have different requirements for entry into their ARD programs. We are familiar with the requirements of each county and have successfully enrolled many client’s into the ARD program in each county.
ARD is broken down into two types of charges: DUI and Non-DUI offenses. Eligibility for each of these programs varies by county and offense, as do the requirements for completion of the program. Further, it is up to the District Attorney of each county to determine eligibility. We are familiar with the specific eligibility requirements for Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon counties, and we will work with you to make sure that you take all the necessary steps to be accepted and successfully complete the program.
However, there are certain situations in which a person will be statutorily ineligible for the ARD program. For example, the following situations will automatically disqualify you from participating in any county’s DUI-ARD program:
For Non-DUI ARD applications, it varies by the rules of each county. However, generally speaking the more serious the offense, the less likely it will be that you will qualify for ARD. Likewise, even if your current offense is not a serious offense, but you have a prior record containing serious criminal convictions, then you will most likely not be approved for ARD.
Our firm is experienced at handling individuals with difficult cases. An experienced attorney can help you determine if you are eligible for ARD and whether it is the best option for your situation.