If you are a first-time offender accused of specific nonviolent crimes in Bucks County, you might qualify for a pre-trial intervention program known as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD). Successful acceptance and completion of the program can keep you from serving jail time if you are charged with qualifying crimes.
At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we can help you if you face minor charges for the first time. The ARD program gives you the ability to have a clean slate, and we can work to help you utilize the program’s benefits if you are eligible to apply. In addition, a Bucks County ARD program lawyer from our firm can help you with the application process and represent your interests during every stage.
The ARD program is a rehabilitation-focused program that allows people in Bucks County and throughout Pennsylvania a second chance when facing charges for certain nonviolent crimes for the first time. According to the Committee Introduction to Chapter 3, the purpose of the program is:
For crimes that the courts consider relatively minor, the program benefits all parties by eliminating the need for an expensive trial and encouraging offenders to make a fresh start with a dismissal of charges and a clean record.
The ARD program offers first-time offenders several benefits, including:
Many first-time offenders prefer the ARD program to traditional penalties in DUI cases or other minor, nonviolent crimes. For example, a standard conviction could lead to sentencing minimums, other penalties, and a permanent criminal record. Our ARD program lawyers can explain the program’s benefits over traditional routes of resolving a criminal charge.
While many people associate the ARD program with DUI charges in Bucks County, you may also qualify to apply for ARD if you face these charges:
Generally, the Bucks County District Attorney will use the Pennsylvania Basic Sentencing Matrix to determine if the specific charge you face qualifies. Although the DA reserves the right to decide which charges qualify for the program, they usually disqualify all offenses over Level 2.
The most basic requirement for ARD program eligibility is that you are a first-time offender. However, the DA considers several factors when evaluating acceptance into the ARD program. Our ARD program attorneys can explain these factors and how they relate to the specific details of your case.
Additional requirements for acceptance into the ARD program in Bucks County include:
There are also specific eligibility requirements based on the particular charge you face. For example, if you are a first-time DUI offender applying for the ARD program, 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3807 outlines additional requirements for acceptance to the program:
The ARD program offers several benefits if you are charged with DUI or other eligible crimes in Bucks County. Our ARD program attorneys can help you navigate the process at every stage, including:
While the process of application and acceptance into the Bucks County ARD program can seem complicated, it also offers you the chance to keep your criminal record clean and avoid jail time in many cases. Our lawyers can help you complete all the steps required for the ARD program and work toward a quick resolution of your charges so you can move forward.
The process of applying for the ARD program involves making sure you meet specific eligibility requirements and submit the correct documents by the deadline in your case. Our Buck County ARD program lawyers can work with you to ensure you correctly complete the following steps:
If the DA’s office approves your application, the judge will set a court hearing to accept you into the program formally. If the prosecutor denies your application, you could seek reconsideration.
If you face first-time charges for a nonviolent crime in Bucks County, you may qualify for the ARD program. It is essential to understand how the program can benefit your current situation. Our ARD program attorneys can explain the process and assist with your application if you face DUI or other minor charges in Bucks County.
For more information, call McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., today at (610) 991-7219 for your free case evaluation.
