Berks County Probation & Parole

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Unit

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARD) is a pretrial diversion program for individuals with limited or no prior criminal record. Individuals placed on ARD do not plead guilty, nor does the Court establish a finding of guilt. Each case is carefully screened by the District Attorney's office for admission into the program. Once approved individuals are placed in the program which is monitored by the Berks County Probation and Parole Office. The primary advantage of the ARD program is that it allows eligible offenders to avoid a criminal conviction. If eligible, upon successful completion of all obligations, criminal charge(s) may be expunged, clearing the criminal charges from their record.

With acceptance into the ARD program, individuals agree to be placed under supervision of the Court (on probation) for a period of time established by the Court. You may be ordered to complete Community Service, treatment, and pay fines, cost of prosecution, restitution and complete any other conditions ordered by the Court.

ARD DUI cases are not currently eligible to be expunged for 10 years. This is due to the 10-year expungement ruling which impacts ARD DUI cases if the placement date is on or after July 1st, 2020.

ARD supervision consists of ARD, ARD Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and ARD DUI. While the diversionary focus of each remains the same, the criteria and requirements differ. Supervision of ARD cases may occur via personal reporting or email/phone, as determined by the Berks County Probation and Parole Office.

Follow the link to view ARD Frequently Asked Questions

The Unit consist of 2 officers, 2 program monitors and their supervisor whose roles are to facilitate access to resources to participating offenders.

Contact the ARD Unit:

Owen Scott - Supervisor

Steve Lamp - ARD DUI
Brian Harting - ARD/Community Service
Melissa Morales - ARD DUI Program Monitor
Liliana Salazar - ARD/CS Program Monitor

How It Works

ARD

Once placed on ARD, you will be required to report to the Adult Probation Office for an intake. During the intake, an officer will:
1. Explain and have you sign the ARD Rules in either English or Spanish.
2. Set up Community Service if court ordered.
3. Refer for a drug screen, if required.
  - Drug screens are collected at the TASC Drug Testing Center.
4. Refer for treatment or programming if court ordered.
Following your intake, you will be contacted by your supervising officer or program monitor to review your progress and provide further reporting instructions.
Payments are collected in person at the Clerk of Courts, or can be made online through the UJS Portal (a convenience fee will be charged).

ARD DUI

Must be completed pre-placement:

Phone Interview – Call 610-478-3400 option 2.

During the interview, the following will be scheduled:
1. Alcohol Safe Driving Program (ASDP)
2. Community Service hours
You will be provided information and required to:
1. Schedule the Court Reporting Network Evaluation (CRN)
2. Set up Treatment – If required per the CRN
3. Pay Fines and Costs
Once placed on ARD DUI, you will be required to report primarily by phone or email, and in person if directed by your supervising officer. You will be contacted within 2 weeks of your placement for further reporting instructions.

ARD SUD
Substance Use Disorder

ARD SUD is a caseload specifically for individuals, both DUI and non-DUI, who are actively using, or whose charge involved the use of illegal substances including Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin, or Fentanyl. Participants may be identified for this program prior to placement, then referred to our office to meet with our ARD SUD Officer. A referral will be made for a Drug and Alcohol Evaluation, and further treatment will be required based on the outcome.
Individuals who fit the criteria may also be identified post-placement and transferred to the ARD SUD caseload to assist with referrals and program placement.
Reporting for this caseload will be done primarily in person and drug testing is an essential component.