ARD v. Section 17 in Pennsylvania

Sometime individuals who are convicted of a drug crime in Pennsylvania are eligible for the ARD program and the Section 17 program.

In Pennsylvania the ARD program is an alternative to going to trial or entering into a plea. This program allows individuals to have their record expunged without admitting their guilt.

The Section 17 program is an alternative program to going to trial or entering into a plea, that also allows individuals to have their record expunged, however the person entering the program does admit to guilt by entering into a plea without disposition. If that person completes his or her probationary period successfully, they will be allowed to have their record expunged. But this particular program is usually available for individuals arrested for a drug related crime.

So what do you do when you are charged with a drug crime in the state of Pennsylvania, and are given the option of taking either the ARD program or the Section 17 program?

Consider the following: If you take the ARD program you are usually no longer eligible for this program in the near future, nor are you likely to be accepted into the Section 17 program. However, in contrast if that person takes the Section 17 program and successfully completes it, they are likely to be allowed to take the ARD program if they are charged with a crime that qualifies for ARD acceptance.

For more helpful tips and understanding of Pennsylvania law, please contact our office at 267-265-4553. Our criminal defense lawyers in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Chester County, and all the surrounding Pennsylvania Counties are here to assist you with your legal matter any day or night. www.LegalPhilly.com