Twenty-four people received a second chance Thursday from the judicial system, as a Schuylkill County judge admitted them into a program that will enable them to emerge from their experience without a criminal record.
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program allows first-time offenders to participate in it.
If they comply with all conditions of the program, plus obey directives from the court and county Adult Probation Office, the charges against them will be dismissed. Then, they can petition the court to have their record expunged.
President Judge William E. Baldwin admitted the following 24 people, who were charged with the indicated offenses, to the program.
Juanita Black, 54, of Philadelphia; fraudulent or altered title or registration and improper possession of documents.
Brady W. Burke, 23, of Pine Grove; driving under the influence.
Nikolis B. Chyat, 28, of Staten Island, New York; DUI.
Brian J. Conroy, Shenandoah; DUI.
Tammy A. Conti, 54, of Ringtown; unsworn falsification to authorities.
Christopher R. Gerber, 24, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Elrena L. Gibson, 52, of Ashland; two counts of hindering apprehension and one each of possession of drug paraphernalia and public nuisance.
Angel M. Hahn, 20, of Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Wade M. Hoffman, 27, of New Philadelphia; bad checks.
Brenda L. Hosler, 49, of Coaldale; disorderly conduct.
Douglas Hosper, 26, of Imperial; three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
John E. Johnson, 28, of Pottsville; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Angie J. Kasper, 34, of Tower City; possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of a controlled substance to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jaclynn M. Kauffman, 29, of Auburn; theft and receiving stolen property.
Bobbie N. Kunkel, 22, of Tamaqua; DUI.
Harry B. Lentz III, 52, of Kelayres; DUI.
Bradley S. Maines, 21, of Mahanoy City; DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Alisha D. Masarone, 30, of Hamburg; DUI.
Linda M. McCoy, 27, of Cressona; adulterated or misbranded controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kati E. Rodriguez, 27, of Jim Thorpe; DUI.
Jacquelyn Taylor, 26, of Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance.
Welfran Terrero, 19, of West Hazleton; DUI.
Israel S. Whalen, 21, of Orwigsburg; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Matthew K. Yoder, 24, of Hamburg; possession of a controlled substance.