What are the requirements for the ARD program?
What Are the Requirements of the ARD Program in Pennsylvania?
Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) is a pretrial diversionary program offered in Pennsylvania that allows eligible first-time offenders to resolve their charges without a conviction. While ARD results in the dismissal and potential expungement of criminal charges, it comes with mandatory conditions that participants must successfully complete.
ARD Participants Must Accept Certain Conditions
When someone is approved for ARD, they plead not guilty but agree to complete a set of court-ordered requirements in exchange for avoiding a criminal conviction. These requirements vary by county and by the type of criminal charges filed, but most ARD programs include:
Supervision by the county probation department
Payment of ARD-related costs and program fees
Completion of counseling, treatment, or educational classes
Community service hours
Program Conditions Vary by Offense and County
The specific ARD requirements imposed will often depend on the nature of the offense:
DUI or alcohol-related offenses: Often require alcohol highway safety school or alcohol treatment.
Assault charges: May involve completing anger management or violence prevention programs.
Drug offenses: Could include participation in drug treatment, rehabilitation counseling, or random drug testing.
In addition, each Pennsylvania county may have different rules regarding how these conditions are carried out:
Some counties require community service to be performed within the county, while others allow it to be completed elsewhere.
Supervision may involve in-person meetings with probation officers and drug testing in some counties, while in others, it may be as simple as monthly email or phone check-ins.
Certain counties do not require community service at all, while others make it a core part of their ARD programs.
Why Local Experience Matters
Because ARD eligibility and program requirements vary by county, it’s important to consult a criminal defense attorney with experience in the jurisdiction where you’ve been charged. An experienced attorney will know:
The specific ARD conditions for your offense
How to navigate local procedures
Whether mitigation materials can help secure ARD admission
What alternatives may exist if you’re denied entry into ARD
Free Consultation With a State College ARD Attorney
Attorney Jason Dunkle has been representing clients in Centre, Clinton, Huntingdon, and Mifflin counties for over 20 years. He has extensive experience helping clients navigate the ARD program and avoid the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction.
For a free case review, contact JD Law by email or leave a message at (814) 689-9139. Email is the preferred method of communication, as phone calls are directed to voicemail due to the high volume of spam and unsolicited calls.