Reading ARD Attorneys
Options for First-Time Offenders in Pennsylvania
If you are a first-time offender, you may be able to stay out of jail, avoid license suspension in the case of a DUI, and keep your record clean. This is possible through Pennsylvania's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. This program is a diversion program designed to keep first-time offenders out of the criminal justice system. Admission into the program is approved by the district attorney in the county where you were charged.
At Emkey Law Firm in Reading, our firm helps clients apply for ARD programs. We understand what the district attorneys in each county hope to see in applications.
Our Reading DUI defense lawyers help clients apply, making sure the case is compelling and persuasive.
Eligibility for ARD
First-time offenders facing most misdemeanor charges are eligible for ARD. People who successfully completed an ARD program more than 10 years ago may also apply. In addition, people who apply and are denied may apply for reconsideration. We have successfully helped clients in all these situations.
Benefits of ARD
People seek ARD to keep criminal convictions off their records for a variety of reasons, including increasing their job prospects. They may lose their license (after a DUI charge) for as little as one month, rather than the usual one year. After successfully completing an ARD program, they can honestly say that they have never been convicted of a crime.
In addition to benefiting many people charged with first-time DUIs, these programs can help people facing charges such as:
- Shoplifting
- Some traffic offenses
- Some drug possession offenses
- Disorderly conduct.
College students who make mistakes and face misdemeanor charges are often good candidates for an ARD program.
We Go the Distance for You
When choosing a lawyer to help with an ARD program, it is important to select one who will be available to you after you enter the program. Getting into the program is only the beginning; completing the program is another issue altogether. Our attorney is there for you throughout your time in the program. If problems arise that threaten your ability to complete the program successfully, we will help you. The skilled Reading DUI attorneys at Emkey Law Firm are here for you. We've got interpreters for all languages and accept most major credit cards.
Contact our office at (610) 200-6103 today to learn how we can help you get into an ARD program.
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"My experience was outstanding. My case was handled as though the outcome matter to Mr. Emkey. I was thankful that someone treated me as an honest person and not as the next number at the deli counter. His efforts helped me regain a needed function of my li"- T.D.
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"Thank you Attorney Emkey for your hard work. I have no doubt the outcome would have been different without you. You are truly a great attorney."- R.W.
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"Mr. Emkey was able to get my DUI charges dropped!! He was very compassionate and kept me up to date on everything that he did. I would hire him again if I needed legal representation!"- T.L.
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"Attorney Emkey is the reason why I have my freedom. He was always available to answer my questions and never made me feel like I was bothering him...a true blessing and pleasure to have as an attorney!"- D.V.
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"Attorney Emkey and his staff was very understanding, quick to respond and knowledgeable. I was comforting due to Attorney Emkey's knowledge of the laws pertaining to my case. He was informative and non-judgmental."- J.S.
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"Attorney Emkey has always done his best to help me as his client. He makes himself fully available at all times and gets back to you right away. He is genuinely a kind person who stands for what is right and what is wrong and does what he can to accommodat"- D.L.
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"Dedicated staff of professionals working with you"Emkey Law Firm is everything they say they are, excellent lawyers and staff. From the moment I walked in to they're office, to the time I walked out the courtroom a free man, Daniel Emkey did what he said he would do. If you want a dedicated staff of professionals working with you and backing you every step of the way, you should trust Emkey Law. I did and I thank Daniel and Emily for answering everything question asked, being there everytime I called and ,I cannot stress this enough, doing what they said they'd do. I recommend this firm to anyone who wants compassionate professionals on their side who do their professional best for their clients. From my entire family, Thank you Emkey Law!- D.K.
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"Thank you so much for all your help with my case. I can see why you are so well respected in your field."- C.M.
