What is ARD?
Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) is a pretrial diversionary program for misdemeanor and summary offenders. The primary purpose of ARD is to educate and counsel offenders and, secondarily, to move cases promptly through the judicial system. Completion of the program results in the sealing of the criminal record. The person must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible, and it may not be offered in all counties. Information about ARD can be obtained through a magistrate, probation officer, or district attorney’s office.
Accelerated Rehabilitated Disposition is a Pretrial diversion program usually available to first time non violent offenders. The primary purpose of this program is the rehabilitation of the offender and prompt disposition of the charges. The County District Attorney has the responsibility of determining which cases will be recommended for entry into the ARD Program. Not every first time offender is eligible for ARD. In Allegheny County for instance a person may be denied admission into the ARD program if they were driving a vehicle while suspended or revoked or if one of their charges includes reckless driving. The ARD Program is not guaranteed but is discretionary with the District Attorneys Office.
ARD is a program for first time offenders whereby the offender can avoid a criminal conviction, imprisonment, and a lengthy license suspension. If accepted into ARD, the license suspension will only be 30 or 60 days, depending upon the offender’s blood-alcohol content. In some limited circumstances, there is no license suspension. The ARD program generally requires the offender to successfully complete alcohol counseling, DUI classes, community service, and probation. Each county has its own rules regarding an offender’s eligibility for admittance into the ARD program. Even if you are feel you are clearly eligible for ARD, an attorney is highly recommended. Some counties will accept into the ARD program an offender with a prior DUI if there is only one prior DUI disposition and if the prior DUI occurred more than ten years ago. Whether prior non-DUI criminal dispositions will make an offender ineligible for ARD really depends on the county’s policy and other factors. DUI offenders who
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