Twenty-nine people received a second chance from the judicial system Thursday in Schuylkill County Court, as they entered a special program that could enable them to emerge from their situations without a criminal record.
Senior Judge D. Michael Stine admitted the 29 defendants into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which allows those who successfully complete it to have charges against them dismissed.
"You have this opportunity to have your record expunged," Stine told the 29. "It's a great opportunity. Use it wisely."
Those admitted into the ARD program must pay the costs of participation in it, plus $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, They also must comply with directives from the court and the county Adult Probation and Parole Office, and perform community service.
If they do so, they successfully complete the program and are entitled to have charges against them dismissed.
"It's a good investment because you get an opportunity to wipe the slate clean," Stine said.
The 29 people who entered the ARD program on Thursday, and the charges against them, included:
Justin M. Albertini, 24, of Pottsville; driving under the influence.
Judy Bressler, 43, of Port Carbon; DUI.
Kimberly Chimokosky, 41, of Schuylkill Haven; theft of services.
Christopher T. Czarick, 28, of Pottsville; DUI.
Dreena N. Dimmaggio, 19, of Dorchester, Mass.; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Carissa N. Donton, 24, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI.
Nicholas C. Edmonds, 21, of Tamaqua; DUI.
Jesse A. Freeman, 36, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI.
Alysa C. Frey, 22, of Tamaqua; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Andre V. Georgevic, 30, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI.
Lauren E. Gosch, 22, of New Ringgold; DUI.
Eduardo L. Hidalgo, 33, of Shenandoah; DUI.
Karissa C. Hunara, 18, of Tamaqua; DUI.
Annette C. Jenkins, 49, of Gordon; DUI.
Chelsea L. Martin, 20, of New Philadelphia; possession of a controlled substance.
Ana M. Nguyen, 30, of Kelayres; three counts of retail theft.
Elizabeth M. Parker, 49, of Shenandoah; DUI.
Matthew D. Reimiller, McAdoo; receiving stolen property.
Chad M. Reiner, 20, of Tremont; criminal mischief.
Shawn Riley, 30, of Ashland; theft by deception and conspiracy.
Jackie L. Sep, 22, of Tremont; retail theft.
Peter D. Sevinsky, 60, of Shenandoah; defrauding secured creditors.
Vinni Singh, 42, of Orwigsburg; DUI.
Kenneth M. Soini, 19, of Tobyhanna; criminal trespass and loitering and prowling at nighttime.
Brandon M. Sterner, 26, of Orwigsburg; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Nicholas W. Strock, 18, of Hamburg; possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jessica W. Wise, 25, of Tamaqua; DUI.
Lynell I. Witter, 38, of Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance.
Chastity Yanetti, 28, of Hazle Township; conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property and defiant trespass.