Eight first-time offenders in the criminal justice system were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) probation program this week by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record is wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it or are revoked from it the commonwealth reserves the right to prosecute them on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.All were placed for a year unless otherwise noted.Justin F. Bernhard, 20, of Palmerton, was placed on a driving under the influence (DUI) charge. He was arrested on Nov. 20, 2011, along Drift Road, in Towamensing Township. Given a test, the result was .22BAC.He was assessed $450 for the cost of the program, and ordered to get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, license suspended for 90 days, render 50 hours of community service, and make restitution in an amount to be determined by the adult probation office.Crystal Fenstermaker, 40, of Lansford, was placed for two years on a charge of false alarm to agency of public safety. She was arrested on Sept. 12, 2011, by Lansford police for an incident along E. Abbott St. She claimed she was struck by a car but police alleged the report was false.She was assessed $500 for the program, zero tolerance imposed on D&A use, and render 100 hours of community service.Deborah Anne Marie Wood, 19, of Lansford, was placed for two years on a charge of false alarm to agency of public safety. She was charged in connection with the same incident as Fenstermaker.She was assessed $500, zero tolerance imposed on D&A use, and render 100 hours of community service.Andrew Ryan Fitzpatrick, 20, of Stratford, N.J., was placed on a charge of theft. He was arrested on Jan. 21 by state police at the Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Lower Towamensing Township, charged with taking a set of skis.He was assessed $500 for the program, render 50 hours of community service, and not allowed on the ski resort property.Paul H. Garcia II, 35, of New Tripoli, was placed for two years on a charge of criminal trespass. He was arrested on March 14 by Lansford police for an incident at 249 E. Patterson St.He was assessed $500, render 100 hours of community service, make restitution of $158.22, and have no contact with the victim.Brett Robert Garvine, 18, of New Castle, Del., was placed on a charge of DUI. He was arrested on Feb. 10 along the turnpike in Kidder Township. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance in his system.He was assessed $450, get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 90 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Jessica Marie Swolensky, 23, of Palmerton, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on Jan. 14, along Fireline Rd., in Towamensing Township. Given a test, the result was .20BAC.She was assessed $450, get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 60 days, and render 50 hours of community service.John T. Zlock, 22, of Nesquehoning, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Feb. 26 along SR209 in Summit Hill. Given a test, the result was .20BAC.He was assessed $450, get a D&A evaluation, zero tolerance on D&A use, license suspended for 60 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Each defendant placed must also pay court costs, which average close to $1,000, and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.