A major legal shake-up is impacting how DUI cases are handled in Clearfield County.
The county suspended the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program, or ARD, for first-time DUI offenders. This follows a late May ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court which decided that completing the ARD program does not count as a prior conviction. Previously, a first offense handled through ARD could be used to enhance penalties for a second or third DUI.
The decision means that if an individual commits another DUI, their initial offense processed through the diversionary ARD program cannot be considered for enhanced sentencing. This change poses immediate challenges for prosecutors and is forcing a re-evaluation of DUI case management across the county.
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