Eight defendants entered guilty pleas to driving under the influence and related counts on Friday in Carbon County court.

Judge Joseph J. Matika accepted the pleas from the following:Leonard Michael Sniscak, 60, of Lansford, was arrested on May 18, 2015, by Lansford police along Abbott Street. A test showed 0.30 BAC. Sniscak also pleaded to driving under suspension-DUI related in the case. In a second case he pleaded to another driving under suspension charge filed by Lansford police following a traffic stop along Kline Avenue. Officers knew Sniscak's license was under suspension for prior DUIs and he was listed as a habitual offender by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. He has at least three prior DUI convictions.Sniscak told the court he had spent a total of 437 days in the Teen Challenge inpatient rehabilitation program addressing a serious alcohol abuse problem.He told Matika, "It was a rough last 18 months. But I feel my life is ready to go on."On the DUI charge Matika sentenced him to serve five years in the Intermediate Punishment Program with credit for 437 days spent in rehab, pay a fine of $2,500, license suspended for 18 months, zero tolerance for alcohol use and render 100 hours of community service. Under guidelines he faced a minimum term of one to two years in jail.On the two driving under suspension counts he was fined a total of $1,500 and ordered to serve 45 to 90 days in jail on each count, serving the full 90 days. He was given credit for the inpatient placement and paroled.Johnathan Robert Exner, 25, of Lehighton, was arrested on March 27 by Franklin Township police along Interchange Road following a hit-and-run. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance. He also pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He also pleaded in a second case to unsworn falsification to law enforcement and false identification to law enforcement for an incident on Oct. 11 at the Friendly Food Mart by Lansford police. Police responded to a theft incident. Exner gave police a false name and other ID, later admitting who he really was.Sentencing was deferred because he needs a drug and alcohol evaluation for the DUI charge.Tracy Ann Filchner, 51, of Lehighton, was arrested on Nov. 4, 2015, by Franklin Township police along Fairyland Road. Police initially responded to a domestic dispute and made a vehicle stop in connection with that incident. A test showed 0.27 BAC.Sentencing was deferred so she can apply for placement in the county's IPP - house arrest.Rogelio Ortiz, 28, of Palmerton, was arrested on April 5 by state police at Lehighton along Alley E in Palmerton. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.He is currently in the county prison on another pending matter.Matika deferred sentencing because Ortiz needs a drug and alcohol evaluation.Lawrence Elmer Purcell Jr., 34, of Kunkletown, was arrested on Aug. 30, 2014, along Patterson Street by Lansford police. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance. Police originally responded to a domestic dispute and made a vehicle stop after Purcell had left the scene.Purcell is currently an inmate in the county prison on a probation violation.Sentencing was deferred so he can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.Brandon Michael Grammes, 28, of Albrightsville, was arrested by Nesquehoning police on Oct. 22, 2015, along Route 209 after he was involved in a crash. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.Sentencing was deferred because Grammes needs a drug and alcohol evaluation.Jahn Peter Schafer, 35, of Jim Thorpe, was arrested on July 30 by state police at Fern Ridge along Route 903 in Kidder Township. A test revealed a 0.14 BAC.He was placed on probation for six months and ordered to pay a fine of $300 and render 25 hours of community service.James Stanley Rockel, 35, of Palmerton, was arrested on Sept. 26, 2013, along Delaware Avenue by Palmerton police. A test revealed a 0.24 BAC. He was previously placed in the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program but was revoked for violating conditions.He was placed on probation for six months and ordered to pay a fine of $300 and render 25 hours of community service.The defendants who were sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole and follow all recommendations of their drug and alcohol evaluation.