Pittsburgh Law Firm Helps DUI Defendants Qualify for ARD
Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition can avoid a Pennsylvania criminal record
If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania, you’re probably worried about how it will affect your record, your license and other aspects of your future. A program called Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) may offer a way to move past the charge without carrying a conviction on your record. At Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC in Pittsburgh, we’ve helped clients throughout western Pennsylvania secure entry to ARD, complete it successfully and move forward with their lives.
Benefits of ARD for DUI defendants
For first-time DUI defendants, ARD can be the difference between a permanent criminal record and a clean slate. Completing the program means a shorter license suspension (or none at all), lower fines and avoiding jail time. In addition, you can usually have the DUI expunged, so that future employers, schools and licensing boards won’t see a conviction when they run a background check.
Who qualifies for ARD?
ARD is typically available to people facing their first DUI who haven’t been in the program before and whose case doesn’t involve serious injuries or other major aggravating factors, or who have a criminal record. Having a minor in the car or a very high BAC can complicate things, but it doesn’t automatically end your chances. Ultimately, the District Attorney decides who gets in and every county handles ARD a little differently. That’s why it helps to have someone who knows the system and can present your case in the best possible light.
What the ARD process looks like
After your preliminary hearing on a DUI charge, an application for ARD is submitted to the District Attorney. You might have to be interviewed, with us present. If the DA approves it, you’ll be scheduled for an ARD hearing where the judge formally admits you into the program. From there, you’ll have a set period — usually several months — to complete the requirements. We stay involved, making sure deadlines are met and paperwork is handled correctly.
ARD program requirements
The requirements for ARD are manageable, but they take commitment. You’ll likely need to attend Alcohol Highway Safety School, complete a number of hours of community service and stay out of trouble during your probation period. A drug and alcohol abuse evaluation may be required, along with any recommended treatment. There are also program fees and court costs. We help clients stay organized and on track so they can complete the program without unnecessary stress.
License suspension under ARD
Whether your license is suspended and for how long depends on your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of arrest. For Tier 1, there is no suspension. Tier 2 offenders face a 30-day suspension and Tier 3 offenders face a 60-day suspension. Drivers under 21 are subject to additional rules. If a suspension applies in your case, we’ll talk through ways to minimize the impact on your work and daily life.
Expungement and effect on future charges
One of the biggest advantages of ARD is that once you finish, you’ll be eligible for expungement of the DUI. Expungement clears the DUI from your criminal record so it won’t show up on background checks. However, successful completion of ARD for a first-time DUI still counts like a prior offense if you get charged for a subsequent DUI.
How an experienced attorney helps you with ARD
Admission to ARD is not automatic. As skilled Pennsylvania DUI defense lawyers, we review the details of your case, address anything that might raise concerns for the District Attorney and prepare your application so that it presents you in the best possible light. We represent you at hearings and make sure you understand every requirement. Our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible and to protect your interests at every step.
Contact a Pennsylvania DUI defense lawyer for a free consultation
Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC in Pittsburgh defends motorists in DUI cases throughout Western Pennsylvania. Please call 1.800.GET.PHIL or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.
