Five first-time offenders in the criminal justice system were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program on Monday by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program, their record is wiped clean. However, if a they fail to complete the program, or are revoked from it, then they would face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.All were placed for a year, unless otherwise noted.Dennis Javier Alonzo, 19, of Mahanoy City, was placed on a possession of marijuana charge. He was arrested on April 21 along Route 534 following a vehicle stop by Kidder Township police.He was assessed $450 for the cost of the program and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, and render 50 hours of community service.Valerie Ellen Balliet, 52, of Lehighton, was placed on a possession of a small amount of marijuana charge. She was arrested on Aug. 5 by state police at Lehighton along West Lizard Creek Road in East Penn Township.She was assessed $450.Brandon David Bowman, 18, of Lehighton, was placed on a retail theft charge. He was arrested on July 29 by Mahoning Township police for an incident at the Walmart store.He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and stay out of the store for the duration of the program.Jubalani Jones, 22, of Albrightsville, was placed on a charge of possession of marijuana. He was arrested on April 21 by Kidder Township police for an incident along Route 534.He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 30 hours of community service.Jason Harper Pearce, 37, of Weatherly, was placed for two years on a charge of simple assault. He was arrested on Oct. 3 by state police at Hazleton for an incident at 2443 Buck Mountain Road.He was assessed $450 and ordered to get both D&A and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, attend and complete an anger management course, render 100 hours of community service, have no contact with the victim, and make restitution of $1,263.48 to the victim. Matika also ruled there would be no early termination from the program.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.