First-Offense DUI · Berks County, PA
ARD Program in Berks County, Pennsylvania
If you were arrested for a first-offense DUI in Berks County, Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) is usually your single most important opportunity. Below is how ARD works locally — the Berks County District Attorney's Office, the Readingcourthouse process, cost, timeline, and what changed under Act 58 of 2025.
Not sure if you qualify? Take the free ARD Eligibility Quiz — 7 questions, instant result, right next step.
How ARD works in Berks County
Berks County ARD is administered through the Adult Probation Office once the DA approves admission. The CRN evaluation and any treatment recommendations are usually required at the time of the ARD hearing.
Filing window. The DA's office looks for the ARD application at or before the preliminary hearing so cases can be scheduled on the ARD list. You must not have a prior DUI conviction within 10 years and cannot have a prior ARD within 10 years — under Act 58 of 2025, a second DUI within 10 years of a prior ARD is now a new standalone offense under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(h) with mandatory penalties.
Reading courthouse & hearings
The Berks County Court of Common Pleas is located at 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601. ARD hearings happen there on a regular ARD list, typically after the CRN drug-and-alcohol evaluation is complete and the DA has approved the application.
Berks preliminary hearings are held at the MDJ covering the arrest location, spanning Reading city, the western townships, and northern boroughs.
ARD cost in Berks County
All-in Berks County ARD cost typically runs $1,700–$2,500 (court costs, CRN, AHSS, supervision fee). That is separate from any restitution owed and separate from your defense attorney's fee. See the full statewide breakdown on the ARD Program pillar page.
License suspension in Berks County ARD
License suspension for ARD is a statewide rule set by BAC tier, not by county — 0 days for general impairment (under 0.10), 30 days for high tier (0.10 to under 0.16), and 60 days for highest tier (0.16+) or refusal-eligible cases. Berks County follows the same statutory schedule.
Areas we serve in Berks County
We handle first-offense DUI and ARD cases across Berks County, including Reading, Wyomissing, Sinking Spring, West Reading, Muhlenberg, Exeter, Kutztown, and Boyertown.
Next step
The ARD window closes quickly. We screen ARD eligibility on the first call and walk you through exactly what Berks County District Attorney's Office will require for your application.
Charged with DUI in Reading?
Free consultations. We handle first-offense DUI and ARD applications across Central Pennsylvania — including Berks County.
Other counties
This page is general legal information about Pennsylvania's ARD program in Berks County and does not constitute legal advice for your specific case. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed Pennsylvania DUI attorney.