Definition - What does Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program mean?
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARDP) is a strategy for identifying first-time offenders who are predisposed to rehabilitation, and then removing them from the criminal justice system. The aim of the ARDP is to eliminate charges for those who have committed minor or non-violent crimes for the first time, so that the time and money spent on court proceedings are better used on more serious offenders.
SureHire explains Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program is supervised by the ARDP Captain in the District Attorney's Office. An applicant must submit a written application to the District Attorney's Office within 30 days of the preliminary hearing in order to be considered. To be considered for the ARDP, the charge must be a first-time, minor, or non-violent offense such as Driving Under the Influence or Possession of a Controlled Substance for Personal Use. The applicant must not have any prior convictions or ARDP dispositions.
All parties involved in the case are given the opportunity to comment on the application. If the application is successful, the Common Pleas Judge admits the applicant into the ARDP and places them on probation. The applicant must pay any fines or fees due and complete any ordered community service or rehabilitation program. The applicant may request for their record to be expunged upon completion of the program.
