CIVIL VERDICTS - PREMISES LIABILITY * Estate of Joan DeMarco v. The Marquis - Decedent business tenant of apartment/office complex owner murdered by former employee of defendant in violent assault during office burglary. Plaintiff's estate alleged negligent security theory of liability against defendant. Settlement negotiated with responsible insurance company in excess of One Million Two Hundred Thousand ($1,200,000.00) Dollars prior to trial. * Khaled Bakar v. Home Properties, Inc. - Plaintiff was standing on third floor balcony of friend's apartment owned by defendant, when the floor suddenly collapsed causing plaintiff to fall to ground. Plaintiff sustained fractured ribs, non-displaced tibia fracture and herniated disc, which was treated with physical therapy and multiple epidural injections. Montgomery County jury returned a verdict in the amount of Seven Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand ($769,000.00) Dollars. Plaintiff filed Motion for Delay Damages which was granted and case was settled for Nine Hundred Thousand ($900,000.00) Dollars. * CIVIL VERDICTS - AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS * Riccardo v. Kim - Plaintiff sustained fractured cervical vertebrae at C5-6 level which required two surgeries and metal screws, arising from a two vehicle automobile accident. Out-of-court settlement negotiated with responsible insurance carriers in amount of Four Hundred Thousand ($400,000.00) Dollars prior to trial. * Estate of Robert Kane v. Joseph Falco - Decedent killed while passenger in one-car accident where intoxicated driver lost control of vehicle. Wrongful death claim settlement negotiated with responsible insurance company in the amount of Six Hundred and Sixty Thousand ($660,000.00) Dollars prior to trial. * Vinnie Moss v. Baldi Transportation/Erie Insurance Company - Plaintiff awarded Two Hundred Thirty Five Thousand ($235,000.00) Dollars by jury after trial. Defendant trucking company bankrupt and uninsured. Uninsured motorist claim settlement negotiated with plaintiff's insurance company in the amount of Two Hundred Thousand ($200,00.00) Dollars. * CIVIL VERDICTS - LIQUOR LIABILITY * Gerald & Irene Kane v. Dublin Wine and Spirits and Commonwealth of PA - Plaintiff husband and wife sustained multiple injuries in head-on collision with drunk driver. Husband-plaintiff sustained head injury resulting in brain hemorrhage and coma, with substantial recovery. Wife-plaintiff sustained broken ankle. Out-of-court settlement successfully negotiated against defendants prior to trial. Husband's claim - Two Hundred Forty Thousand ($240,000.00) Dollars. Wife's claim - Ninety Thousand ($90,000.00) Dollars. (Bucks County)* Edward Pisarek v. Adriatric Club - Plaintiff police officer assaulted while on duty by intoxicated bar patron skilled in martial arts. Plaintiff sustained permanent partial hearing loss and multiple lacerations. Non-jury trial verdict in favor of plaintiff and against defendant in amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand ($150,000.00) Dollars. (Philadelphia County) CIVIL VERDICTS - PRODUCT LIABILITY* Keith Rosenberger v. Galoob Toys, Inc. - Plaintiff sustained temporary partial loss of vision in one eye with increased risk of future glaucoma, when struck in eye by defendants' children's toy, while plaintiff demonstrated newly purchased toy for child. Out-of-court settlement successfully negotiated against defendants in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand ($150,000.00) Dollars prior to trial. (Montgomery County)* Raymond Cost v. Caterpillar, Inc. - Plaintiff sustained partial amputation of his lower leg, when his foot was crushed in an unguarded pinchpoint of rotating couplings inside engine area, while plaintiff was performing maintenance of defendant's heavy trash compactor/metal shearer. Out-of-court settlement successfully negotiated against defendant in the amount of Four Hundred Seventy Five Thousand ($475,000.00) Dollars prior to trial. (Montgomery County)

ACCELERATED REHABILITATIVE DISPOSITION

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program known as ARD is a pretrial diversionary program which gives a first offense DUI offender the opportunity to avoid jail time, and a criminal conviction, as well as greatly reducing the length of any license suspension.

The Program is administered by the District Attorney’s Office which exercises sole discretion in the decision to admit an applicant into the Program.

Once a person is placed in the ARD program, the disposition of the charges is deferred while the defendant is placed on a probation-like supervision for a term of typically twelve (12) or six (6) months. However, unlike traditional probation, ARD generally only requires that a person check-in with probation online or by phone once each month.

Participants are required to complete a certain number of community service hours, attend a mandatory Alcohol Highway Safety Class, and undergo a very brief evaluation to assess any drug or alcohol issues. The cost of the program varies by county, but is generally around $1,500.00.

The benefit of ARD is that it does not result in a conviction or admission of guilt. Upon successfully the Program, a defendant is entitled to move to have the charges dismissed and the corresponding criminal/arrest record expunged.

In addition, ARD greatly reduces the license suspension that would otherwise be imposed for a conviction of DUI.  For example, without ARD, a person convicted of a middle tier DUI (BAC .08 – .16), or a highest tier DUI (BAC .16 and above), will have his or her license suspended for 12 months. With ARD, the license suspension for a middle tier DUI is only 30 days, and 60 days for a highest tier.

Our attorneys will vigorously advocate for you to be admitted into this Program to safeguard your most prized assets:  your freedom and clean record. We are often able to successfully have clients admitted into ARD even if their application was initially denied by passionately laying out our case to the District Attorney’s Office for reconsideration.

See our PA DUI Attorneys’ track record >>

The information contained herein should not be used as a substitute for personal legal advice. You should contact the Law Offices of McMahon, Lentz & Thompson to schedule a Consultation with an attorney who will speak to you regarding your specific situation.