A.R.D. – Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in Pennsylvania
If you’re facing a first-time DUI charge in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for a program called A.R.D., or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, which will allow you to resolve your PA driving under the influence case without a criminal record. Ciccarelli Law Offices can answer all of your questions about ARD and help you determine whether it may be an option in your Pennsylvania drunk driving case.
A.R.D. is a program that emphasizes treatment instead of incarceration. Some counties have different guidelines, but, generally, in order to be eligible for accelerated rehabilitative disposition, you cannot have been convicted of a Pennsylvania DUI in the past 10 years. However, the district attorney has discretion to recommend or deny an individual for the program and each County District Attorney uses slightly different considerations for the program. Contact Us to discuss whether you may be eligible in the County of your arrest.
If you’re accepted for ARD in a PA DUI case, you’ll be under the court’s supervision – similar to probation – for six months. You’ll also be required to pay restitution if ordered and all court fines and fees and may be required to pay traffic fines, complete community service, highway safety classes and or alcohol or drug treatment. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be subject to license suspension in Pennsylvania for 30 to 90 days. It is possible to avoid suspension altogether in some cases.
If you complete all of the requirements for a A.R.D., your Pennsylvania DUI charge will be dismissed and you won’t have a criminal record from your driving under the influence arrest. You may then also be able to expunge the DUI arrest from your record. If you fail to meet the requirements after being accepted into the A.R.D. program, the charges against you will be reinstated and you’ll be prosecuted for driving under the influence.
ARD can bring a satisfactory outcome to your first-time Pennsylvania DUI case, but it’s not your only option. It may be possible to reach a favorable plea bargain or successfully fight your driving under the influence charge in court. A Pennsylvania DUI lawyer at Ciccarelli Law Offices can help you determine whether A.R.D. or another option can bring a satisfactory outcome to your driving under the influence case. Please contact us today for a free consultation.
It may be possible to fight your Pennsylvania DUI charge and win, but you’ll never know if you plead guilty without first exploring your options. Ciccarelli Law Offices can review your case to determine whether the Chester County district attorney’s case has weaknesses that are open to challenge. Please contact us today for a free consultation.
Gain the over 25 years of DUI experience
Ciccarelli Lawyers is based in suburban Philadelphia in Chester County Pennsylvania with main locations in West Chester, Kennett Square and Exton/Downingtown and with satellite locations in center city Philadelphia and in Delaware, Lancaster, and Montomery County. Contact Lee Ciccarelli and the Ciccarelli Law Offices Criminal Defense Team to discuss your problem, to confidentially and professionally discuss the dui, drunk driving or driving while intoxicated charges, arrest, and legal issues facing you and your family. We have an attorney on call 24/7. Contact us on line or by phone at (877) 842-1529 for a free consultation at one of our Pennsylvania locations.
