07/11/2014 | Drugs, DUI, Pennsylvania Laws, Your Rights and the Law
Written by Attorney Justin Ketchel

ARD Program—Pennsylvania

What is the ARD Program and would it Benefit You?

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (“ARD”) program is a special program for first time offenders in Pennsylvania. ARD is usually used for a first offense DUI, but also can be used for other crimes such as first time drug possession and theft.

As the name suggests, the purpose of the ARD program is rehabilitation. The terms of the ARD program often include classes designed to assist and deter the accused from the act that led them to the court system in the first place.  For example, ARD classes for a first-offense DUI would include alcohol and highway safety classes.

The ARD program allows the accused to have the charges against them stayed and, upon completion of the terms of the ARD program, to have their charges withdrawn and expunged from their record.

Additionally, if it is a first offense DUI, ARD will reduce a license suspension from a potential one-year suspension to a maximum of sixty days.

ARD participants must also be non-violent offenders to qualify.

Generally, the ARD Program will have specific requirements that must be fulfilled within a period of a year.

Requirements of the ARD Program may include:

  • Meeting with a program supervisor regularly;
  • Attending drug and/or alcohol counseling sessions;
  • Fulfilling community service;
  • Passing regular drug tests that prove sobriety, and;
  • Paying court fees and/or restitution.

The District Attorney’s office is the entity that determines whether ARD is going to be offered to a defendant.  Because of this, it is important to have a dedicated, experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney to fight on your behalf for acceptance into the ARD program.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, consult an attorney as soon as possible.

The experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Ketchel Law can help fight for your acceptance into the program and your charges expunged from your record.

We can also fight for your charges to be dropped or reduced. We will tirelessly fight on your behalf to ensure that your arrest has a minimal impact on every aspect of your life.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

 

If you have been charged with a crime in Pennsylvania, contact Ketchel Law today.

Our number one goal is to have your charges dismissed and your record clean.

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