The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a unique diversionary program available to certain offenders called Alternative Rehabilitative Disposition, or ARD. Diversion means that a criminal case is resolved without a trial. Much of the criminal court proceedings up to and including a trial will be “diverted” in favor of an alternative agreement between the prosecution and defendant.
This means no guilty plea will be entered, and upon successful completion, your charges will be dropped and then qualify to be expunged from all government records. If you are facing a 1 year driver’s license suspension, ARD will reduce this to either 30 or 60 days, depending on your alleged BAC. Your attorney may be able to reduce this time even further, depending on the county and circumstances.
ARD programs in Pennsylvania vary by county, and each alternative agreement will be arranged on a specific per-case basis. Before any alternative agreements are reached, however, the prosecution must permit an ARD, and the defendant must also qualify to enter into one.
For more information about the ARD programs for DUI offenders in Pittsburgh, Ebensburg or Cambria County, call us today. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys will review all of your options with you, and your initial consultation is free.
Tibbott & Richardson
1040 Fifth Avenue, Fourth Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 444-7171
