Pennsylvania
I was cited for underage drinking last Friday night (September 4th) in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County PA. I've been experiencing a great deal of anxiety in these past few days and I was wondering if you could possibly answer some of my questions.
I spoke with campus security at Messiah College, where the incident took place, and the officer told me that I'll have to wait until I receive the citation in the mail. Upon receiving the citation, the officer suggested that I request entrance into an ARD program as a means of eventually expunging the charge from my record. Since I am very inexperienced in these sorts of matters, I was hoping you might be able to give me some advice.
First of all, does the possibility of ARD even exist for me? If so, do you recommend I pursue it? Will I need to hire an attorney, or will I be able to navigate the process myself? I've been told that in pleading guilty and accepting the conviction of the summary offense, I'll only receive a $400 fine. But as future student of law, I'm wondering if a guilty plea is really my best option. What would be the consequences, fiscal and legal, of entering an ARD program?
Once again, I realize that I'm probably burdening you with this information but hopefully you can give me some advice. Any at all would be greatly appreciated. I hope all is well with you and your family and I look forward to hearing from you.
I was cited for underage drinking last Friday night (September 4th) in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County PA. I've been experiencing a great deal of anxiety in these past few days and I was wondering if you could possibly answer some of my questions.
I spoke with campus security at Messiah College, where the incident took place, and the officer told me that I'll have to wait until I receive the citation in the mail. Upon receiving the citation, the officer suggested that I request entrance into an ARD program as a means of eventually expunging the charge from my record. Since I am very inexperienced in these sorts of matters, I was hoping you might be able to give me some advice.
First of all, does the possibility of ARD even exist for me? If so, do you recommend I pursue it? Will I need to hire an attorney, or will I be able to navigate the process myself? I've been told that in pleading guilty and accepting the conviction of the summary offense, I'll only receive a $400 fine. But as future student of law, I'm wondering if a guilty plea is really my best option. What would be the consequences, fiscal and legal, of entering an ARD program?
Once again, I realize that I'm probably burdening you with this information but hopefully you can give me some advice. Any at all would be greatly appreciated. I hope all is well with you and your family and I look forward to hearing from you.