Five first time offenders in the criminal justice system were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) probation program on Tuesday 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 they can be prosecuted on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.All were placed for a year.Robert G. Bell III, 25, of Weatherly, was placed on a charge of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on March 22 along Buck Mountain Road, in Lausanne Township, by state police at Hazleton. Given a test, the result was .20BAC.He was assessed $450 for the program, and ordered to get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance imposed on D&A use, license suspended for 60 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Shannon Mary Kelly, 26, of Albrightsville, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on March 10 along SR903 in Kidder Township, by state police at Fern Ridge. Given a test, the result was .14BAC.She was assessed $400, and ordered to get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 30 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Duane Robert Niedert, 52, of Nesquehoning, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Dec. 17, 2011, along SR54 in Nesquehoning. Given a test, the result was .17BAC.He was assessed $450, and ordered to get a D&A evaluation, license suspended for 60 days, and render 50 hours of community service.Michael John O'Malley, 58, of Tamaqua R.D., was placed on a charge of retail theft. He was arrested on April 1 by Lansford police for an incident at Boyer's Market. He was charged with taking $49.12 worth of merchandise without paying for it.He was assessed $350, and ordered to get a mental health evaluation, and make restitution of $49.12 to the market.Connor Lawrence Purington, 19, of Saylorsburg, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on April 1 along Pohopoco Road in Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $450, and ordered to get a D&A evaluation, zero tolerance imposed on D&A use, license suspended for 90 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 while in the program.