Why your ARD case still shows up
ARD lets a first-time offender complete a supervised program, usually six months to a year, instead of going to trial. When you finish, the court is supposed to dismiss the charges and order your arrest record expunged. In practice, many people complete the program, receive a letter from probation, and assume they’re done. The docket still says ARD, and it stays public until the dismissal and expungement order is entered.
How an ARD expungement works
- Confirm completion. Adult Probation confirms that you finished every condition: classes, community service, supervision, and payment of costs and fees.
- File the motion and petition. Under Pa.R.Crim.P. 319, the judge orders the charges dismissed on motion. Under Rule 320, the judge also orders the arrest record expunged, subject to the District Attorney’s right to object within 30 days.
- Include everything Rule 790 requires. The proposed order must list your identifying information, the judge, the affiant, the docket numbers, the OTN, the charges and the agencies to be served.
- Serve the agencies. The clerk sends certified copies to the State Police, the arresting agency, the district court, AOPC and the others listed, and each one updates its records.
What stays after an ARD expungement
An expungement removes the case from public view, but Pennsylvania law lets the District Attorney and the State Police keep a limited internal record, so they can tell whether someone has already had ARD and decide eligibility for future programs (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(c)). For DUI ARD, PennDOT also keeps its own record for a period set by statute. See DUI ARD expungement.
What we need from you
- Your name, date of birth and any former names
- The county and approximate year of the case
- Your ARD completion letter, if you have it
- Proof that costs are paid, if you have it (we can usually confirm this from the docket)
Common questions
Is ARD expungement automatic in Pennsylvania?
No. Completing ARD makes you eligible, but a judge has to sign an order. Some counties process these faster than others, but you should not assume it happened. Check the docket on the UJS Portal: if it still shows your case, it hasn’t been expunged.
Do I have to have paid everything?
Yes. All costs, fees and restitution connected to the ARD must be paid before the charges are dismissed and the record expunged.
Can the District Attorney object?
Yes, within 30 days. Objections to a completed ARD are uncommon. We ask the DA’s office to sign a concurrence in advance whenever we can.