ARD can help with a DUI case in Pennsylvania because it can allow a person if they were to be eligible and qualify and be accepted into the ARD program or the Accelerated Rehabilitative Diversion program. It can allow them to avoid a criminal conviction and to resolve their DUI case with lesser consequences, than, say, if they were to be convicted by either going to trial or pleading guilty.
It would depend in terms of what the sentence would be. For example, with a first offense DUI, if the case is prosecuted under tier one, two, or three, but a person potentially could be looking at a period of time in jail, a one-year loss of their driver's license, additional conditions per the sentence. With an ARD, there could be no license suspension in some instances, or a 30 day or 60-day license suspension. There would be no criminal conviction if the person successfully completed ARD.
It depends on the county. In some counties, the fines that would be associated with the ARD program are less. In some counties, they're actually more than a person if then if a person would be convicted for, say, like a first offense. It can vary in that regard but that's a matter of, say, fines, and costs for example. As importantly, a person could avoid a criminal conviction and overall the consequences for the DUI would be less.
An experienced Pennsylvania DUI defense attorney can help you understand the potential benefits and some drawbacks of the ARD program. It can help you best defend against DUI charges. They should be involved from as early as possible in the case.
