If you’re facing a first-time misdemeanor charge including a dui offense in Centre County Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for a program called A.R.D., or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, which will allow you to resolve your pending prosecution without requiring a conviction or criminal record. Our Centre County legal team can answer all of your questions about ARD and help you determine whether it may be an option for you as you face your Centre County misdemeanor criminal charges.

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 a prior criminal history or a prior admission onto the ARD program.. However, the Centre County district attorney has discretion to recommend or deny an individual for the program and the Centre County District Attorney uses slightly different considerations for the program.  Contact Us to discuss whether you may be eligible in Centre County to apply for ARD.  

If you’re accepted for ARD in a Centre County DUI case, you’ll be under the court’s supervision – similar to probation – for a period of at least 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 a period up to 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 Centre County 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 Centre County 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.   Our dedicated Centre County Criminal Defense Lawyers 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 Centre County misdemeanor charges 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 Centre County district attorney’s case has weaknesses that are open to challenge. Please contact us today for a free consultation.  

 You also need Centre County criminal lawyers both passionate in what they do and compassionate in their treatment of their clients. You deserve a Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer that is available when you need him, treats you with respect, and protects your rights vigorously. We make your choice all the clearer fighting for clients throughout the metropolitan Philadelphia Pennsylvania, including Centre County. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer, contact us at (888) 643-0006.