Eight first-time offenders in the criminal justice system were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program last week by Judge Steven R. Serfass.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record will be wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, 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.Megan Lynn Fredericks,35, of Palmerton, was placed for six months on a charge of defiant trespass. She was charged by Lehighton police for an incident on Nov. 16, 2015, at 38 Second Ave., with Shawneen Romits the listed victim.She was assessed $450 for the cost of the program and ordered to render 25 hours of community service, have no contact with the victim and make restitution to the victim for $280.Joseph Mario Holtje,20, of East Greenville, Montgomery County, was placed on a charge of driving under the influence. He was arrested on Nov. 25, 2015, along Maury Road in Penn Forest Township by state police at Lehighton. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and license suspended for 90 days.Chintan Patel,29, of Jim Thorpe, was placed for two years on a charge of insurance fraud. The Northeast Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Task Force charged that he made a false claim on a sapphire pendent, claiming it had been stolen when it had not.He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 100 hours of community service and pay a $2,000 civil penalty to the task force.Samantha Elison, 19, of Palmerton, was placed for two years on a simple assault charge. She was arrested by Palmerton police for an incident on Jan. 13 involving her mother, Jennifer Wuttke as the victim. The incident occurred in the area of 600 Franklin Ave.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 100 hours of community service, get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and have no contact with her mother.Shawn Kokos,29, of Macomb, Michigan, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Oct. 25, 2015, along Interstate 80 in East Side Borough by state police at Fern Ridge. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.Alfred John Kropf Jr.,54, of Kunkletown, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Nov. 25, 2015, along Trachsville Road in Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.April L. Marsh,34, of Lehighton, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on Jan. 3 along Delaware Avenue by Palmerton police. A test showed 0.18 BAC.She was assessed $550, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and her license was suspended for 60 days.Daniel T. Spillane,29, of Lehighton, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on March 24, 2015, along Route 248 at Bowmanstown by state police at Lehighton. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $500 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and license suspended for 60 days.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program. Each defendant charged with DUI must also follow all recommendations of their drug and alcohol evaluation.