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 attorney became much more than just my legal representative, he is my friend and I feel blessed to have met and having him as a part of my life.Even though I have moved on and changed my life, if I did know anybody in need of legal help, Emkey Law Firm "- J.B.
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"He took the time to explain everything to my family and I. I am very pleased with my outcome. I'm so thankful I was referred to him,"- S.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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"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!"- J.W.
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"I'm so happy that I hired Attorney Emkey. He fought so hard and did everything he could for me. His hard work resulted in my freedom."- I.K.
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"I just wanted you to know that your defense of him has allowed him the opportunity to succeed. Thank you so much!"- P.S.
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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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"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.
