Twenty-nine people received a second chance from the criminal justice system Thursday in Schuylkill County Court, as they entered a special program that will enable them to emerge from the experience with no record.
Those 29 were admitted by Senior Judge D. Michael Stine into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which will require them to pay all costs and comply with directives from the county Adult Probation and Parole Office.
If they do so, however, they will not have a criminal record, Stine told them.
"Your case will eventually be dismissed," he said. "It's a great opportunity. Take advantage of it."
Stine admitted the following people, who were charged with the indicated crimes, into the ARD program:
William M. Anthony, 39, of Beaver Meadows; driving under the influence.
Thomas K. Bielec, 50, of Flint, Mich.; theft, theft by deception and theft by failure to make required disposition.
Howard C. Beury, 18, of Schuylkill Haven; four counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
John A. Caba, 23, of Reading; possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Melissa Christman, 40, of Auburn; DUI.
Brian S. Dasch, 39, of Schuylkill Haven; four counts each of terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Angela Dolla, 37, of Pine Grove; resisting arrest.
Lisa M. Donaldson, 24, of Saint Clair; DUI.
Joshua L. Garris, 25, of Kutztown; simple assault.
Thomas E. Halye, 37, of Branchdale; DUI.
Sharon A. Herring, 54, of Pine Grove; DUI.
Joseph E. Houtz, 54, of Pine Grove; disorderly conduct.
Justin Kroh, 26, of Ashland; retail theft.
John L. Lacy, 37, of Ringtown; DUI.
Deborah A. Lengle, 56, of Pine Grove; retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Ryan J. Neaus, 24, of Hazleton; DUI.
Paul Nester, 79, of Auburn; DUI.
Harvey F. Lymaster Jr., 45, of Pine Grove; unsworn falsification to authority and false reports.
Joshua L. Ney, 18, of Pottsville; identity theft, access device fraud, theft and receiving stolen property.
Kyle T. Putalavage, 23, of Pottsville; DUI.
Jared Raczka, 20, of Minersville; DUI.
Christopher D. Scherr, 27, of Auburn; DUI.
Cole A. Schnoke, 21, of Pine Grove; DUI.
Linda K. Sibble, 23, of Tamaqua; retail theft and receiving stolen property.
James J. Stank Jr., 31, of Gilberton; DUI.
Greg A. Stewart, 34, of Orwigsburg; DUI.
Angela M. Walters, 30, of Pottsville; two counts of corruption of minors.
William R. Weand, 44, of New Ringgold; simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Wade A. Yoder, 25, of Pine Grove; possession of drug paraphernalia.