DUI, ARD & Traffic Offenses
DUI (Driving Under the Influence) & ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition)
Stuckert and Yates represents and defends clients charged with criminal offenses, including driving under the influence (DUI), misdemeanor drug charges, and traffic offenses.
DUI charges can have significant impacts on your rights and your life. DUI charges and subsequent convictions can jeopardize your driver’s license, can cost a significant amount in fines and fees, and can even result in jail sentences.
If you are a first-time DUI offender, you may be eligible for ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition). ARD is a pre-trial intervention program in many Pennsylvania counties that allows persons charged with DUI or other criminal offenses to defer the charges for a period of time so that the defendant can prove to the Court that they will not re-offend. Individuals who are accepted into the ARD program frequently receive terms of probation, can avoid being sentenced to jail, and can often have their initial charges expunged or removed from their criminal records. Community service, payment of fines, and other requirements often must be completed in order to be eligible and successfully complete the ARD program.
If you are eligible for ARD in Bucks County, your license will be suspended in accordance with your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) results (see below), so long as the Court of Common Pleas approves the ARD Agreement between you and the District Attorney’s Office:
| Length of Driver's License Supension | Blood Alcohol Content |
| No Supension | .08% - .99% |
| 30 Days | .10% - .159% |
| 60 Days | .16% - Above |
| 90 Days | A minor at the time of the offense |
If you have been charged with DUI, contact our experienced DUI attorneys immediately for a consultation and we will discuss your options with you.
Traffic Offenses
Traffic offenses can also result in substantial fines and fees, can place points on your driving record, affect your auto insurance premiums, and can result in the loss of your driver’s license. If you have been charged with a traffic violation and wish to oppose the citation, contact us so our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the system from beginning to end.
Juvenile Offenses
If your child is under the age of 18 and has been charged with a crime in Bucks County, it is important to hire an attorney to represent your child's best interest. Consequences for juvenile offenses can include a criminal record and placement in a detention center. Juvenile offenses can affect future employment or education opportunities.
At Stuckert and Yates, our attorneys will work with the Juvenile Probation Department and the District Attorney’s Office to discuss the resolution for your child’s charges, and explore other options that will prevent harsh consequences for your child.
Contact Stuckert and Yates at (215) 968-4700 for a consultation.
Expungement of Criminal Records
Expunging a criminal record erases an arrest record and criminal record, and allows you to truthfully answer important questions on job applications, college applications, and background checks. Our experienced attorneys can help with every stage of the expungement process, which will include the filing of a Petition for Expungement with the Court of Common Pleas, attendance at a hearing before the Court, and monitoring of the various state and federal agencies to ensure your record is properly expunged.
Expungement may be available if you were convicted or pleaded guilty to a summary offense at least five (5) years ago, you were a first time DUI offender and successfully completed ARD, you were charged as a juvenile, you were found “not guilty”, the charges were dismissed, or if you have an underage drinking citation and are now over the age of 21.
Contact us or call us at 215.968.4700 to find out if you are eligible for expungement and to discuss the expungement process with an experienced expungement attorney.
Jessica L. VanderKam, Esquire