Criminal Defense FAQ’s: What is ARD in Pennsylvania?
ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) is a pre-trial criminal disposition involving fines, probation and non-detention penalties. It is generally available for many first time offenders for non-violent offenses in the Commonwealth and is used frequently for first time DUI offenders in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia. ARD is at the sole discretion of the District Attorney and not a judge. Filing a timely and well-thought out ARD application is important and experienced DUI lawyers will guide you through the process. Remember: Since the ARD determination is at the sole discretion of the District Attorney’s office, acceptance into ARD varies from county to county.
