DUI charges can be scary. For example, many people worry about losing their license and job.
However, Pennsylvania offers the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program. It can be a pathway toward rehabilitation.
Strict criteria
The ARD program is for first-time offenders and individuals with limited prior criminal records. To qualify, defendants must meet certain criteria. They include a willingness to take responsibility for their actions and a commitment to completing the program’s requirements.
Benefits of ARD
The program can spare participants from some of the stigma of a criminal conviction. That said, DUI cases are not eligible for expungement for 10 years. Participants may avoid severe penalties such as license suspension and incarceration.
With the expungement of a DUI conviction, participants may preserve some of their employment prospects. Furthermore, completing the program demonstrates a commitment to rehabilitation and responsible behavior. Employers and schools may view this favorably.
Requirements of ARD
While the ARD program offers an opportunity for leniency, it is not without its demands. Participants typically must fulfill various obligations, including attending alcohol education classes, completing community service hours and adhering to any treatment or counseling recommendations. Participants may also surrender driver privileges but for less time than if they went to court.
Participants also may have to pay fines, the cost of prosecution and restitution, among other fines or fees. In Berks County, the Probation and Parole Office conducts supervision of program participants.
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program in Pennsylvania offers a valuable opportunity for people facing DUI charges to pursue rehabilitation.
