ARD / DUI
THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE UPDATED SHORTLY
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program is offered by the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office and is available to many first-offense DUI offenders. It is an alternative to a trial, conviction or jail sentence. Offenders who successfully complete the ARD program may have their charges dismissed and their criminal records expunged.
There may be additional alternatives other than those explained on this webpage. If you have any questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, contact the Lancaster County Bail Administrator's Office at 717-295-3584 to apply for a Public Defender.
For non-DUI ARD applications, visit the ARD/Non-DUI webpage here Version Options ARD / DUI Headline.
Applications and Deadline
Applications for ARD are available here Version Options ARD / DUI Headline and can be filled out online or printed out and completed by hand. Paper applications are also available at Lancaster County DUI Central Court and at the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. Version Options ARD / DUI Headline
Applications can be submitted by email along with proof of insurance (at the time of the offense) to DUI-ARD@lancastercountypa.gov or in person at DUI Central Court or the District Attorney's Office. Applications and proof of insurance (at the time of the offense) can also be mailed to the District Attorney's Office:
Lancaster County Courthouse
District Attorney’s Office
50 N. Duke Street
P.O. Box 3480
Lancaster, PA 17608
Applications must be submitted by the offender's preliminary hearing date but no later than their formal arraignment date.
Eligibility
ARD is available for certain DUI offenses to include violations of 75 Pa.C.S.A §§ 3802 (a), (b), (c), (d) and/or (e).
ARD is not available if:
- The offender has been convicted of DUI or accepted into ARD within 10 years of the date of the current offense.
- A crash occurred in connection with the offense where a person, other than the offender, was killed or suffered serious bodily injury.
- A passenger under 14 years of age was in the vehicle the offender was operating.
- The offender did not have a valid driver's license and/or was suspended and/or did not have insurance, regardless of whether they were charged with those specific offenses.
- The offender has an extensive driving record as determined by the District Attorney's Office.
- The offender/s BAC is .240% or above.
- The offender had any amount of opioids, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (i.e. MDMA; LSD), dissociative anesthetics (i.e. Ketamine; PCP), or derivatives or analogues in their blood.
- The offender was a CDL-holder at the time of the offense.
Requirements
To apply for the ARD program, you must:
- Waive your preliminary hearing;
- Complete an ARD application and submit it and proof of insurance (at the time of the offense) to the District Attorney's Office;
- Sign and submit an ARD continuance form; and
- Schedule a CRN evaluation with Adult Probation at DUI Central Court.
To be admitted into the ARD program you must complete the following prerequisites within six months of the preliminary hearing:
- Complete the CRN evaluation;
- Obtain a Drug & Alcohol evaluation, if recommended;
- Register for any recommended drug and alcohol treatment;
- Successfully complete Alcohol Highway Safety School;
- Complete any required Community Service hours; and
- Pay the administrative fee of $950 to the Collections Enforcement Unit. If the offender qualifies for court-appointed counsel, the administrative fee is $650.
Program
ARD is a one-year program in which the offender remains under supervision and must remain crime-free. Within the first six months of supervision the offender must:
- Successfully complete any required drug and alcohol treatment.
- Pay all restitution, fines and costs.
- Comply with all over conditions of the program.
Fast Track
Offenders who meet certain criteria set by the District Attorney's Office are eligible for the ARD Fast Track. Fast Track offenders may complete the ARD program after six months.
The following DUI charges are eligible for ARD Fast Track. Ungraded misdemeanor offenses subject to either:
- 75 Pa. C. S. Section 3804 (a)(1) ("Tier 1"); or
- 75 Pa. C. S. Section 3804 (b)(1) ("Tier 2")
In addition, an offender must have no prior record and no prior DUI arrests or conviction as well as a clean driving history.
ARD Review Panel
Appropriate applicants will have an opportunity to address a review panel to determine whether their case should be diverted into ARD. The goal is to allow a more informed decision on the application as well as to better assess who is likely to successfully complete the program.
Applicants may bring an attorney and witnesses but should be prepared to answer questions from the panel regarding the offense and their background. Applicants do retain their right to remain silent and their participation in this panel is strictly voluntary. If they choose not to participate, the decision on the case will be based solely on the written application.
License Suspension and Community Service
Once admitted to the program, driver's license suspensions and community service hours under ARD are as follows.
| BAC | License Suspension | Community Service |
| .099 or less | 0 days* | 15 hours |
| .100-.159 | 30 days* | 20 hours |
| .160-.199 | 60 days | 25 hours |
| .200-.239 | 60 days | 50 hours |
| Refusals | 60 days** | 50 hours |
| Drugs | 60 days | 50 hours |
| Minors | 90 days | 50 hours |
* If the offender is involved in an accident, the driver's license suspension is 60 days regardless of the BAC level.
**PennDOT will suspend the offender's driver's license for one year on refusals.
NOTE: An offender may be subject to the SCRAM monitor as a condition of their supervision for a period of time depending on their case.
Failure to Comply
If an offender fails to successfully complete the ARD program or violates any condition of the ARD program the District Attorney's Office may seek to remove the offender from ARD.
If an offender is removed from the ARD program, the District Attorney's Office will resume prosecution of the original DUI charges.
Refusal
If an offender refused to submit to a chemical test, the offender must agree not to appeal the civil license suspension imposed by PennDOT. If an appeal was filed prior to applying for ARD, the appeal must be withdrawn within 14 days of the ARD submission. If the offender fails to comply they shall be denied admission or removed from the ARD program.
The District Attorney's Office reserves the right to reject an application based on other factors not specifically listed on this webpage.