Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)

The Pennsylvania Legislature has provided by statute that first time driving under the influence offenders may be referred for an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition which allows the defendant an opportunity to have the charges removed from his/her public Criminal History Record (a “rap-sheet”) after successful completion of a required period of probation and participation in appropriate safe driving and alcohol counseling programs.

Other types of crimes may be allowed into ARD as well. The Allegheny County District Attorney has established policies governing the types of crimes that the office will recommend to the court for admission into the ARD program. The District Attorney has the discretion to deny eligibility into the ARD program.