Seven first time offenders were given the opportunity to clear their record when they were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) probation program last week during court proceedings.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record is wiped clean. However, if they failed to complete the program or violate conditions the Commonwealth reserves the right to bring them back and try them on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.Those placed were:Elizabeth A. Garrett, 47, of Summit Hill, was placed for a year on a charge of driving under the influence (DUI). She was arrested on May 24 along Ludlow St., in Summit Hill. Given a test, the result was .24BAC.She was also ordered to pay $450 for the program, get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, make restitution for damages to be determined, license suspended for 60 days and she must perform three hours of community service per month while in the program.Adam Brian Seitzer, 22, of Lehighton, was placed for a year on a DUI charge. He was arrested on June 16 along White Bear Drive, in Summit Hill. Given a test, the result was .23BAC.He was also ordered to pay $450 for the program, get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 60 days, and render three hours community service per month while in the program.Joseph Barna, 56, of Weatherly, was placed in the program for a year on a charge of aggravated assault involving Chief Michael Morresi, of the Beaver Meadows police, occurring on May 20 along Tamaqua St. in the borough.He was ordered to pay $350 for the program, get a D&A evaluation, attend anger management counseling, have no contact with the victim or his family, and render 15 hours of community service.Paul J. Becker, 42, of Ashfield, was placed in the program for a year on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Jan. 27 along SR534 in Kidder Township. Given a test, the result was .23BAC.He was ordered to pay $450 for the program, get a D&A evaluation and license suspended for 60 days.Grace M. Powell, 53, of Dunmore, Lackawanna County, was placed in the program for a year on a DUI of a controlled substance. She was arrested on Sept. 28, 2008, along the turnpike in Franklin Township. A test showed controlled substances in her system.She was ordered to pay $500 for the program, get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 60 days and render 20 hours of community service.Travis J. Rhoades, 22, of Beaver Meadows, was placed for a year on a DUI of a controlled substance charge. He was arrested on June 18 in Beaver Meadows. A test revealed controlled substances in his system.He was ordered to pay $350 for the program, get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 60 days and render 20 hours of community service.Mary Ann Haupt, 48, of Lehighton, was placed for six months on a charge of simple assault. She was arrested on Nov. 26, 2008, at her home in Franklin Township.She was also ordered to pay $500 for the program.All were also ordered to pay all court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.