Six 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 the 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.Jesse Payton Kleinschmidt, 27, of Palmerton, was placed on a charge of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on June 9 along Hahn's Dairy Road, in Towamensing Township, by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result showed the presence of a controlled substance.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 60 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Paula T. Kuntzman, 44, of Palmerton, was placed on a charge of theft. She was arrested on April 20 by state police at Lehighton for taking the debit card of Amy C. Whitemore, without her permission, and using it at various locations. She had been employed as Whitemore's caregiver at the time.She was assessed $500, and ordered to get a mental health evaluation, make restitution of $1,328.37, and render 100 hours of community service.John Joseph Neff Jr., 25, of Palmerton, was placed on a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was arrested on April 19 at Mauch Chunk Road and Hillside Avenue, in Palmerton, by state police at Lehighton.He was assessed $350, and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.Michael Joseph Neff Jr., 19, of Lehighton, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on May 27 along Main St., in Franklin Township, by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $450, and ordered to get a D&A evalaution, license suspended for 90 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Thomas Jay Shupp, 42, of Palmerton, was placed on a charge of recklessly endangering another person. He was arrested on Sept. 3, 2011, by a game commission officer for an incident in Towamening Township. Kevin and Lisa Strohl are the listed victims.He was assessed $350, and ordered to attend and successfully complete a anger management course, have no contact with the Strohls', render 50 hours of community service, and must truthfully testify against a co-defendant in the case.Tammy Lynn Terfinko, 39, of Slatington, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on Feb. 25 along SR248 in Palmerton, by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result was .15BAC.She was assessed $400, and ordered to get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 30 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Each defendant must also pay court costs, which average close to $1,000, and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.