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Delaware County

Criminal Defense Attorney in Delaware County, Pennsylvania

With more than 551,000 residents in Delaware County, it is the fifth largest in Pennsylvania. Whether you live in Delaware County or were just passing through, a criminal accusation is a serious matter.

Many serious criminal offenses are investigated by local police departments in conjunction with the Delaware County Detectives as well as the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Never speak with any law enforcement officer about a criminal accusation until after you have spoken with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

After an arrest in the City of Media or Delaware County, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your case. Our lawyers represent clients after an arrest in Media, Chester (City of Chester), Upper Darby, Haverford, Villanova, Marcus Hook, Radnor, Chichester and Ridley Park.

Call (215) 665-1695 today to discuss your case.

ARD Program in Delaware County, PA

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program at the courthouse in Media, PA, was designed to more efficiently resolve cases involving a person with no prior record. The program focuses on making restitution and accepting treatment and rehabilitation.

The main benefit of completing the ARD program successfully is that the charge will be dismissed and the individual can potentially have the criminal record expunged. On the other hand, if the person fails to successfully complete the program then the case will be removed or rejected from ARD and the prosecution will be resumed in court.

Entering the ARD program is not the right choice in every case even if you are eligible. Talk with an attorney to learn more about the pros and cons of entering the program.

The District Attorney’s Office in Delaware County screens the applicants. In those cases that meeting the initial eligiblity criteria, the District Attorney’s Office of Delaware County will request that the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County accept the case into the ARD program.

Eligibility for ARD is determined on a case-by-case basis and is solely within the discretion of the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. Applicants are screened to make sure they have no history of prior delinquency or criminal activity. The DA's Office will also consider a showing that the person had a law-abiding life for a substantial period of time before the present accusation.

Both the officers involved in the case and the victim will have an opportunity to offer comments on whether the person accused should be considered for the ARD program.

Requirements for ARD in Media, PA

Call a Delaware County criminal defense attorney to discuss the requirements for ARD program in Media, PA. You give up many important rights by agreeing to participate in the program.

If you decide to enter the program, then you must follow certain requirments to enter the program including having an attorney to represent you (either a private attorney or a public defender), waiving arraignment, submitting to fingerprinting,

If you decide to apply for the ARD program, your criminal defense attorney will complete the Waiver of Arraignment Form and Entry of Appearance, ARD Application and ARD Rule 600 Waiver Form.

After you enter the ARD program, you may be required to remain in the program for a period of time not to exceed to years. You must perform community service. You may also be required to complete other conditions such as paying restitution. You must also pay the costs of the program which are approximately $1,200 for a non-DUI case. This amount does not include a monthly program fee.

Always answer the questions truthfully on the ARD application because a false, incomplete or misleading information could be treated as false statements pursuant to 18 Pa. C. S. Section 4904 and could subject you to further prosecution for perjury, false swearing and / or unsworn falsification to authorities. See, 18 Pa. C. S. Sections 4902, 4903 and 4904.

Requirements for the ARD DUI Program in Delaware County, PA

In a DUI ARD case, the costs are approximately $1,400.00. This amount does not include a monthly program fee. To complete the ARD DUI program you must waive the preliminary hearing, undergo a CRN evaluation, complete the community service hours, complete the alcohol safe driving classes, and submit to a drug and alcohol evaluation.

The minimum dispositions for DUI applicants include but are not limited to:

Tier I: BAC 0.08% to 0.99%: no license suspension, 16 hours Community Service work and 12 months probation;
Tier II: BAC 0.10%--0.159%: 30-day license suspension, 32 hours Community Service work, 12 months probation;
Tier III: BAC 0.16% or higher, DUI drugs, refusal, or DUI accident with bodily injury or refusal: 60-day license suspension, 64 hours Community Service work, 12 months probation; and
Minors or under age 21 DUI (applies to anyone under the age of 21 at the time of the DUI): 90 days license suspension, 32 hours Community Service, 12 months probation.

If the special conditions are completed within 60 days of the waiver of preliminary hearing, the community service requirements may be reduced as follows:

TIER I: Possible reduction from sixteen (16) hours to eight (8) hours;
TIER II or Minor: Possible reduction from thirty-two (32) hours to sixteen (16) hours; or
TIER III: Possible reduction from sixty-four (64) hours to thirty-two (32) hours.

Additional Resources

District Attorney's Office in Delaware County, Pennsylvania - John J. Whelan is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the County of Delaware, Pennsylvania. Units within the State Attorney's Office in Media, PA, include include the Special Investigations Unit, the Adult Trial Division, the Narcotics / Forfeiture Unit, the Anti-Violence / Insurance Fraud, the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Unit, the The Trial Teams, the Veterans Court/Mental Health Court, the Violent Offender Unit, Gaming Enforcement, Law & Appeals, Special Victims and Domestic Violence Division, Criminal Investigation and Pre-Trial Division, and the Juvenile Unit.

Contact Information

District Attorney's Office in Delaware County, PA

Delaware County Courthouse

201 W. Front Street

Media, Pennsylvania 19063

Phone: 610-891-4161

Finding a Delaware County Criminal Defense Lawyer

After an arrest in Delaware County, contact an experienced Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer to discuss your case. Our attorneys represent clients throughout Media, and the surrounding areas of the City of Chester, Haverford, Upper Darby, Marcus Hook, Villanova, Chichester, Radnor, and Ridley Park. Call (215) 665-1695 for a free consultation.