Delaware County ARD Application
May 28, 2024
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Understanding the ARD Program in Delaware County, PA
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program in Delaware County, PA, offers first-time, non-violent offenders a chance to avoid a criminal conviction. Here’s a concise overview of the program, including eligibility, application process, and conditions.
Overview of the ARD Program
The primary purpose of the ARD program is to rehabilitate offenders and promptly dispose of charges, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming trials. Successful completion of the program leads to the dismissal of charges and potential expungement from the offender’s criminal history.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the ARD program in Delaware County, defendants must:
Have no history of prior delinquency or criminal activity.
Have an attorney.
Waive arraignment.
Be fingerprinted.
Pay the costs of the program, which are approximately $1600 for non-DUI cases and $1800 for DUI cases.
Application Process
The application process involves several steps:
Waiver and Entry Forms: Defendants and their attorneys must complete the Entry of Appearance and Waiver of Arraignment Form.
Fingerprinting: Defendants must be fingerprinted by the arresting agency or the Criminal Investigative Division of the District Attorney’s Office.
Submission: Submit the ARD application form, along with the waiver forms, to the Delaware County Court Administrator at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arraignment.
Conditions of the ARD Program
If accepted into the ARD program, defendants must:
Complete a term of probation, usually between six and twelve months.
Perform community service hours (temporarily suspended due to social distancing guidelines).
Pay court costs and any restitution.
Comply with any special conditions, such as attending Alcohol Safe Driving Classes and undergoing Drug and Alcohol Evaluation (temporarily suspended due to social distancing guidelines).
DUI-Specific Guidelines
For DUI cases, specific BAC levels dictate different probation lengths, community service hours, and license suspensions:
Tier I (BAC 0.08%–0.099%): 6 months probation, 16 hours community service, no license suspension.
Tier II (BAC 0.10%–0.159%): 12 months probation, 24 hours community service, 30-day license suspension.
Tier III (BAC 0.16% or higher, drugs, accident with injury, or refusal): 12 months probation, 32 hours community service, 60-day license suspension.
Minor (under 21 years): 12 months probation, 24 hours community service, 90-day license suspension.
Completion and Expungement
Successful completion of the ARD program allows the defendant to file for expungement to remove the offense from their criminal record. This does not happen automatically and requires proactive steps by the defendant.
Contact Information
For more details or to apply for the ARD program, contact 215-307-5504 for a free consultation.
The ARD program offers a valuable opportunity for eligible offenders to rehabilitate and clear their record, emphasizing a commitment to personal accountability and community responsibility.