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

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record is wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, then they will 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.Christopher Allen Dutko, 29, of Palmerton, was placed for two years on a charge of theft. He was arrested by state police at Lehighton on May 17 for taking aluminum bars from Ampal Inc., at 2125 Little Gap Road, Palmerton.He was assessed $650 for the cost of the program and ordered to render 100 hours of community service, make restitution of $7,725 to the victim, and stay off the victim's property. The restitution is a half share as there is a co-defendant in the case.Barry Eugene Meredith Jr., 23, of Newark, Delaware, was placed on a charge of theft. He was arrested by state police at Lehighton for taking a snowboard at the Blue Mountain Ski Area in Lower Towamensing Township on March 8, 2014.He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service. The snowboard was returned to the owner.Shane Anthony Miller, 22, of Lehighton, was placed on a charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police. He was arrested on June 17 along Route 248 in Lower Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton.He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.Cara Marie Simmons, 37, of Lehighton, was placed on a charge of theft. She was arrested by Lehighton police on March 27 for taking $665.22 from the Dunkin' Donuts business on Bridge Street, where she was then employed.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service, make restitution of $665.22 to the Dunkin' Donuts and stay out of the business.Dana E. Vazquez, 28, of Walnutport, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on May 22 along Hahns Dairy Road in Lower Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. A test showed 0.10 BAC.She was assessed $500 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and her license was suspended for 30 days.Kevin Michael Brian Watts, 29, of Brookhaven, Delaware County, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on May 22 by state police at Lehighton along Route 209 in Towamensing Township. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and license suspended for 60 days.