Seven first time offenders in the criminal justice system were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) probation program on Thursday by two county judges.

If a person successfully completes the program their record is wiped clean.However, if they fail to complete it or are revoked from it the Commonwealth reserves the right to prosecute them on all pending charges.A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.All were placed for a year, unless otherwise noted.Placed by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II were:Ryan Luberecki, 30, of Shamokin, was placed on a charge of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on April 15, along North St., in Jim Thorpe. Given a test, the result was .16BAC.Luberecki was ordered to pay $450 for the program, get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, and license suspended for 60 days.John W. Neff, 56, of Lehighton, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on July 9 along Church Road in Penn Forest Township after being involved in an accident. Given a test, the result was .11BAC.He was ordered to pay $400 for the cost of the program, get a D&A evaluation and his license suspended for 60 days.Rita Thomas, 36, of Lansford, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on June 5 along Mauch Chunk St., in Mahoning Township. Given a test, the result was .09BAC.She was ordered to pay $350 for the program and get a D&A evaluation.Placed by Senior Judge Richard W. Webb were the following:David R. Andreas, 30, of Lehighton, on a DUI charge. He was arrested on May 8 along SR248 in Lower Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result was .15BAC.He was ordered to pay $400 for the cost of the program, get a D&A evaluation, and license suspended for 30 days.Richard E. Beretski, 52, of Palmerton, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on May 20 along Delaware Avenue in Palmerton.He refused a test and will lose his license for a year.He was ordered to pay $450 for the program, get a D&A evaluation and license suspended for an additional 60 days.Gerald C. Knappenberger, 49, of Lehighton, was place on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.He was arrested on Aug. 14, 2010, at Beltzville Lake Park in Towamensing Township by a Fish & Game Commission officer.He was ordered to pay $350 for the program and render 15 hours of community service.Brandon Ryan Miller, 19, of Andreas, was placed for two years on a charge of simple assault. He was arrested on March 21 by state police at Lehighton for an incident in East Penn Township with Shane Alan Troutman the listed victim.He was ordered to pay $350 for the program, attend and complete anger management counseling and render 15 hours of community service.Each defendant must also pay court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.