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

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record is wiped clean. However, if a person fails to complete the program, or is 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.Placed were:Dante Lee Firman Jr., 26, of Hazle Township, Luzerne County, was placed for a year charge of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. He was arrested on Sept. 5, 2011, at the entrance to Jack Frost Ski area in Kidder Township. Given a test, the result was .20BAC.Matika ordered he pay $450 for the program, get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, license suspended for 60 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Peter Paul Halada III, 22, of Palmerton, was placed for a year on charges of DUI and possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was arrested on Aug. 2, 2001, in the area of 57 Road and Locust Road, in Lower Towamensing Township.Matika ordered he pay $450 for the program, get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 60 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Christopher Patrick O'Connor, 20, of White Haven, was placed for a year on a charge of criminal conspiracy-theft. He was arrested on June 20, 2011, by Weatherly police for incidents in the borough in which he and three co-defendants were removing street signs.Matika ordered he pay $500 for the program, make restitution of $39.60, which is one-fourth of the total, and render 50 hours of community service.Craig Ortiz, 27, of Bath, was placed for a year on a charge of firearm ownership-duty of other persons. He was arrested on Aug. 15, 2011, by Nesquehoning police.Matika ordered he pay $350 for the program, and render 50 hours of community service.Each must also pay court costs, which average close to $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.