Pennsylvania ARD Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition

If you’re facing your first DUI charge, you may be eligible for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program. Unique to the state of Pennsylvania, the ARD program is a way for first-time DUI offenders with no aggravated charges to avoid a long trial. It is also a way for those charged with DUI to have alternative penalties.

Our attorneys are experienced in the successful defense of DUI offenders. If this is your first DUI offense, we’ll explore the possibility of the ARD program but will not take this option if we believe we can get your case dismissed. The ARD program is only meant for situations where it is very likely you’ll lose at trial and your attorney thinks it’s the best option for you.

As mentioned earlier, you’re only eligible to take ARD as an option if this is your first DUI offense and you had no other serious factors involved in your case such as you caused serious injury or death to someone. ARD is also not an option for you if you had a child in the vehicle under the age of 14.

How does the ARD program work?

If it is determined that the ARD program is the best option for you, you won’t have to plead guilty to DUI, which means you won’t be convicted of DUI. The benefits of this include that you won’t have a DUI on your criminal record and your charges will be legally dismissed. However, if you are later charged with another DUI offense, your penalties will be more severe.

The ARD program is also a good option because you’ll avoid serving any jail time. Instead, your penalty will be very similar to being placed on probation—you’ll be supervised for up to two years. With the right attorney, you may also be able to obtain a Pennsylvania occupational limited driver’s license to allow you to drive to and from work.

It’s important that if you agree to the ARD program that you complete it successfully. Otherwise, you will be sent back to court and will be convicted of DUI.