Find Out If Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Is The Right Choice For You

Many Pittsburgh residents believe that Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) will get them out of jail if they are convicted of a DUI. Some people see this program as a lifetime “get out of jail free card.” While ARD does have many benefits, it does not quite work this way. In this article, we will clear up some of the misconceptions surrounding this important program.

What Is ARD?

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition is a pretrial diversionary program that is offered to first-time offenders under specific conditions. ARD in Pennsylvania requires you to be under 6 to 12 months’ probation. It also requires you to attend highway safety classes. Unfortunately, you may lose your license for some time while in this program.

The cost of the program in Pittsburgh, PA is between $1,500 and $2,000. The good news is that after completion of ARD, your DUI charges may be expunged and dismissed. What many Pennsylvanians don’t realize, however, is that PennDOT records cannot be expunged within 10 years. Therefore, if you do get another DUI, it will be treated as your second offense.

How ARD Works

ARD will not get you out of jail following every DUI conviction in Pennsylvania—it is more of a one-shot deal. That is why we only recommend using this as a last resort. Unfortunately, many people in this area who have been convicted of a DUI use ARD thinking that they will never be convicted of a DUI again. Sadly, we’ve seen second offenses happen all too often.

When someone who has completed the ARD program reoffends, this option is no longer available to them. To make matters worse, some defendants hastily agree to ARD to settle a weak case that should have been dismissed anyway! It is much better to higher an experienced DUI lawyer at the Wyland Law Group to fight the charges for you. This way, ARD will be available to you if you are ever booked on stronger charges.

Who Is Eligible For ARD?

Another thing to keep in mind is that not everyone in Pittsburgh, PA is eligible for ARD. You will not be eligible for an ARD program if:

  • You were involved in a crash that resulted in serious injury or death
  • You were carrying a minor under age 14 when arrested
  • You have a prior criminal conviction
  • You do not have insurance

It is important to know if you even qualify for ARD before making the decision to pursue it. Contact an attorney at Wyland Law Group to help you understand the qualifications. You can fill out a contact form or call 412-710-0013.

ARD And License Suspension

ARD can carry license suspensions in Pittsburgh, PA. There is no suspension if your blood alcohol content (BAC) was less than 0.1. If your BAC was between 0.1 and 0.16, there will be a 30-day suspension. If your BAC was over 0.16, or if you had drugs in your system, there will be a 60-day suspension. This is important to factor into your decision when considering ARD.