Nine first time offenders in the criminal justice system were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) probation program on Thursday but Judge Steven R. Serfass.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record his wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, they face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.Samantha Dotter, 20, of Stroudsburg, formerly of Lehighton, was placed for two years on a charge of simple assault. She was arrested on Feb. 1 for an incident in the 100 block of S. Third St., in Lehighton. The victim was Officer Matthew Ahner.Serfass assessed her $450 for the costs of the program, and ordered her to make restitution of $277.84, and get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment.Gary Robert Exner, 44, of Lehighton, was placed for six months on a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was arrested on Oct. 6, 2012, by state police at Lehighton along Franklin St., in Weissport.He was assessed $650, and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.Ashley Ann Groff, 22, of Shamokin, formerly of Lehighton, was placed for a year on a charge of retail theft. She was arrested by Mahoning Township police for an incident at the Walmart store in which she took $849.71 worth of merchandise.She assessed $450, and ordered to render 50 hours of community service. There was no restitution due as all the items were recovered.Steven Judd, 44, of Lehighton, was placed for two years on a charge of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance-marijuana. He was arrested by Mahoning Township police for an incident on Aug. 19, 2012, along Lower Nis Hollow Drive.He was assessed $450, and ordered to get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, and render 100 hours of community service.Natalie Lichtenberger, 29, of Andreas, was placed for six months on a retail theft charge. She was arrested on Feb. 5 by Mahoning Township police for an incident at the Walmart store in which she was charged with taking $386.33 worth of merchandise.She was assessed $450, and ordered to render 25 hours of community service. There was no restitution as all the items were recovered.Garrett M. Ryan, 22, formerly of Lansford, and now residing in Texas, was placed for 18 months on charges of possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on Sept. 16, 2012, by Jim Thorpe police along Lehigh Avenue. Given a test, the result showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600, and ordered to get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 60 days, and render 75 hours of community service.Josh Weimar, 19, of Lehighton, was placed for a year on a charge of burglary. He was arrested by Mahoning Township police for an incident on Feb. 26 at the residence of Suzanne Ebbert, at 760 Ashtown Drive.He was assessed $450, and ordered to make restitution of $225, and render 50 hours of community service.Lisa Durando, 46, of Bushkill, was placed for six months on a bad checks charge. She was arrested by Palmerton police for an incident on Nov. 26, 2012, with Blue Ridge Communications the listed victim.She was assessed $450, and ordered to render 25 hours of community service. Restitution to the victim has already been made.Steven Robert Wright, 21, of Palmerton, was placed for a year on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Oct. 14, 2012, by Palmerton police at Third and Franklin sts. Given a test, the result was .14BAC.He was assessed $650, 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.