Motorcyclist Qualifies for ARD and Expungement
At Logue Law Group, we often get a lot of enquiries regarding the ARD program. And one of the biggest misconceptions that we often hear is that people think the ARD program is designed only for DUI offenses.
Well, nothing can be more wrong! The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program in Pennsylvania is also meant for non-DUI and non-violent offenses. However, the misconception arises from the fact that the ARD program is most frequently used to protect first-time DUI offenders.
A couple of weeks ago, one of our clients called up for the same enquiry. The way he was asking every little detail about he program made our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers suspect that something was wrong. Upon asking, the client confessed that he was charged with weaving, fleeing, and eluding the cops.
Why Was our Client Booked?
First, let’s explore the reasons why our client was booked by the cops, and take a look at the charges levied.
So, our client was riding his motorcycle on the I-76 highway. It was slow-moving traffic, and he got frustrated after a while. And since he was on a motorcycle, he chose to swerve among the traffic and make his way. A law enforcement officer witnessed this whole incident and asked our client to stop.
And here’s where the story got complicated! Our client not only did not stop, but also fled the scene as fast as he could. However, it was his bad luck that he was pursued by the officer and was charged with the following-
- Careless driving.
- Fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer
- Resisting arrest
The Penalties
Now, given the nature of the charges, our client was looking at some really stiff penalties. For instance, for careless driving in Pennsylvania, the penalties are-
- Three points on the license.
- $250 fine.
- A potential imprisonment sentence of 3 months.
Added to that, our client was also charged with fleeing and eluding, a second-degree misdemeanor, which carries up to 2 years of imprisonment.
How Did We Help?
Owing to the string of charges that our client was facing, our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers had to pull out the ARD trump card at trial. We knew from our experience of legal practice that it was the only way to keep our client out of prison.
So, as planned, our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers appealed to the prosecution about our client’s admission to the ARD program. Because that was the only way we could have filed an expungement, as requested by our client. And our plan worked successfully. The prosecution agreed to grant permission to get our client admitted to the ARD program. After he completed his term, we filed for an expungement and made the case disappear from our client’s life forever.
This case is a glaring instance that the ARD program is not meant exclusively for DUI offenses. In fact, if our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers approached the case in some other way, our client was sure to face a prison sentence and steep fines for the nature of charges levied against him!
So, if you or a loved one is facing similar charges, remember that our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers are ready to help you protect your rights. Just place a call at 844.PITT.DUI and book an appointment today.