More than two dozen people received a second chance from the criminal justice system Thursday in Schuylkill County Court, as they entered a special probationary program that will allow them to clear their records if they successfully complete it.
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program resembles probation, in that participants are supervised by the county, are required to pay a fee for it and must comply with directives from the county Adult Probation and Parole Office.
However, those who complete it without a misstep can petition the county court to have the charges against them dismissed,
"You've been given an opportunity to clear your record," Judge John E. Domalakes told them. "I certainly hope you avail yourselves (of it)."
Domalakes said those in the program must pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and perform community service as conditions of their participation.
Those people whom Domalakes admitted into the ARD program on Thursday, and the charges against them, included:
Wayne-Rico Anderton, 19, of New York City, N.Y.; defiant trespass.
Matthew C. Bann, 20, of Orwigsburg; driving under the influence.
Brian C. Bayer, 23, of Pottsville; DUI.
Amanda L. Breidigan, 23, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Amber Bynon, 31, of Port Carbon; DUI.
Edward V. Competus, 47, of Cressona; DUI.
Kyle A. Corinchock, 25, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI.
Jolena A. Deeter, 25, of Tremont; three counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Jared J. Dinger, 20, of Pine Grove; DUI.
Dylan M. Ditzler, 24, of Allentown; DUI.
Judy L. Fetrow, 49, of Minersville; DUI.
James Fogarty, Delano; conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property.
Derreck A. Forker-Leso, 19, of Mahanoy City; simple assault.
Tonia Girard, 26, of Coaldale; DUI.
Elan K. Golden-Alexis, 25, of New Ringgold; DUI.
Brandon E. Harner, 29, of Hegins; DUI.
Theresa M. Harris, 46, of Schuylkill Haven; false insurance claim, conspiracy, insurance fraud and false reports.
Gerald L. Heffner, 49, of Sheppton; DUI.
Raymond Jeronis, 59, of Tamaqua; DUI.
Andrew R. Kelley, 47, of Mahanoy City; DUI.
Robert L. Kiefer, 55, of Ringtown; DUI.
Marci S. Luckenbill-Felty, 42, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI.
Theresa A. Meyers, 39, of Pottsville; defiant trespass.
Jordan D. Reichert, 25, of Tremont; DUI.
Michelle L. Revinski, 20, of Locustdale; improper furnishing of drug-free urine.
Morgan R. Scheifley, 19, of Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Lynn M. Seredych, 50, of Lykens; DUI.
James H. Skidmore, 68, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI.
S. Charles Smolar, 22, of Tamaqua; possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Dennis O. Tomlin, 56, of McAdoo; DUI.
Emily C. Vitale, 19, of New Ringgold; DUI.
Joshua E. Williams, 25, of Pottsville; DUI.
Brian L. York, 25, of Tamaqua; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In other county court action, a Shenandoah man is headed to state prison after admitting Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that he broke into two borough buildings in order to steal copper items.
Andrew L. Wyre, 26, must serve one to two years in a state correctional institution under the terms of Judge Charles M. Miller's sentence.
Miller also sentenced Wyre to pay costs and $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Wyre pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, three of criminal trespass and one each of theft, receiving stolen property, possessing instruments of crime, attempted theft and attempted receiving stolen property. Prosecutors dropped a charge of criminal mischief.
Shenandoah police charged Wyre with breaking into 211 W. Atlantic St. on Nov. 28 and 138 N. White St. on March 8.
Other defendants from whom Miller accepted guilty pleas on Wednesday, the crimes they admitted committing and the sentences the judge imposed included:
Jessica G. Burd, 36, of Ashland; theft; 30 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $50 CJEA payment and $1,999 restitution. Prosecutors dropped a charge of receiving stolen property.
Butler Township police charged Burd with stealing $1,999 worth of jewelry from a Gordon woman on Dec. 15, 2011.
Ricardo Cruz, 23, address not known; defiant trespass; 45 to 90 days in prison with immediate parole and $50 fine. Prosecutors dropped a second count of defiant trespass.
Pottsville police charged Cruz with trespassing at Union Station on Feb. 17.
Altariq S. Cuffie, 39, of Pottsville; disorderly conduct; six to 12 months in prison, $50 fine and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors dropped a charge of terroristic threats.
James A. Johnson, 42, of Ashland; driving under the influence and disorderly conduct; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,025 in fines and mental health evaluation. Prosecutors dropped charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, loitering and prowling at nighttime and careless driving.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.