Twenty-six people will have the chance to wipe their records clean as they entered a special program Thursday in Schuylkill County Court that will allow them to emerge unscathed from an encounter with the criminal justice system.
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program allows people charged with a crime to have charges against them dismissed and their records expunged if they successfully complete it, Senior Judge D. Michael Stine said.
"The ARD program is a good opportunity," Stine said. "I suggest you use it wisely.
Stine reminded the 26 that they must pay all costs associated with the program, including $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, perform community service and obey directives from the county Adult Probation and Parole Office in order to complete the program successfully.
"It's really an opportunity" to get rid of the charges, he said.
Stine said the program is for first-time offenders who are unlikely to reoffend.
Those admitted by Stine into the program, and the charges against them, included:
Matthew J. Bagdonavicius, 20, of Frackville; conspiracy, retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Jeri P. Belmont, 40, of Orwigsburg; driving under the influence.
Delton G. Bolton Jr., 27, of Girardville; simple assault.
Matthew J. Calarco, 23, of Hazleton; DUI.
Emma Carl, 19, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Phillip M. Cicero, 29, of Saint Clair; four counts of theft.
Jennifer L. Fisher, 41, of Pittston; DUI.
Ainsley J. Frey, 21, of Orwigsburg; DUI.
Manuel Garrido-Betancourth, 23, of Reading; DUI.
Chad M. Harris, 30, of Reading; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sally J. Hartung, 44, of Tamaqua; DUI.
Ronald A. Heinbach, 65, of Valley View; DUI.
Stephanie J. Hoffecker, 21, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI.
Andrew J. Hower, 20, of Reading; prohibited possession of offensive weapon.
Danielle Kapes, 32, of Mahanoy City; DUI.
Kody A. Kirkland, 20, of Pottsville; theft.
Joshelle R. Lockhart, 21, of Girardville; DUI.
Kassandra L. Markowicz, 27, of Tremont; DUI.
Kellen R. Muldowney, 20, of Schuylkill Haven; retail theft.
Ashley E. Olsen, 20, of Pottsville; DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Johnathan V. Perambo, 22, of Pottsville; two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Anastacio C. Rodriguez, 43, of Spring City; DUI and false identification to law enforcement.
Kelly S. Roos, 39, of Pottsville; DUI.
Kenneth N. Tagle, 37, of Saint Clair; DUI.
Charles J. Torres, 25, of Pottsville; DUI.
Kimberly Ann Wilkus, 44, of Shenandoah; DUI.