Checklist and Instructions for Attorneys/Defendants
to Schedule a Remote (Video) ARD Hearing
With the recommendation of the District Attorney’s Office your case has been assigned to the ARD
Program. The date and time of your admission hearing are indicated on the subpoena you received at
the time of your formal arraignment or ARD interview. Because of the national health emergency Court
Administration has directed that all court hearings be held remotely.
During your ARD interview the costs associated with your case were explained. To qualify for
acceptance into the ARD Program, the initial costs must be paid four (4) days prior to your ARD
Hearing. Generally, they are $250.00 for DUI and $50.00 for other offenses plus restitution payments if
any.
Payments can be made in person in room 114 on the first floor of the Allegheny County Courthouse or
online by credit card using EPAY on the UJS Portal.
You and your attorney must log onto Microsoft Teams. It is highly recommended that you and your
attorney log into the hearing from a common site to prevent delays due to timing and technical issues.
If you intend to represent yourself (Pro Se), please call (412) 350-5527 immediately.
Approximately one week before your hearing you will receive the link for Microsoft Teams and
instructions on its installation and any updates to your hearing.
REQUIREMENTS:
Access to a computer or a smart phone to install the software application “Microsoft Teams.” There is
no cost for the installation or use of Microsoft Teams.
Included in this packet are five documents:
ARD Instruction Sheet
General Rules for ARD Probationers*
ARD Colloquy*
Waiver of Rights and Consent to Entry into ARD by Video Conference *
Instructions for Using EPAY on the UJS Portal
The following documents MUST be signed, dated and returned by email to
ardremotehearings@alleghenycourts.us
: General Rules for ARD Probationers, ARD Colloquy, and
Waiver of Rights and Consent to Entry into ARD by Video Conference. These documents must be
received by the court four (4) days prior to your ARD Hearing. Any questions you may have regarding
these documents can be answered by your attorney.
When you appear in Court via Teams, the Assistant District Attorney will read your docket number,
name, charges, and the recommendation for your probation. The Judge will ask if you understand the
ARD Program and are accepting the conditions of your probation. If you answer in the affirmative, the
Judge will admit you to the program. Your hearing will then be complete. After the hearing you will
receive a copy of the order admitting you to the ARD program, and you will either have an initial
interview on the Teams call or later you will receive a telephone call from your probation officer further
explaining the program and answering any questions you may have.
8.21.20
Explanation of ARD Proceeding
You are attending this proceeding today virtually to respond to certain charges that have been filed
against you. Please be advised that the Constitution of the United States of America and the
Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania guarantee that you may have the right to a jury
trial on these charges. If you were to go to trial, you would have the right to select from citizens of this
community, Allegheny County. This jury must unanimously find you guilty or you will be acquitted.
You may also choose to be tried by a judge. The judge would sit as a trier of fact and, if you choose to
go to trial, you would enter the courtroom clothed with the presumption of innocence. You must be
proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by the evidence presented by the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth has offered you an alternative to going to trial, the Accelerated
Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) probation program. By accepting the ARD program, you are implicitly
admitting that you have committed the offense with which you have been charged. Under the ARD
program, you can earn a dismissal of these charges. To have these charges dismissed, you must agree to
undergo a period of probation as ordered by the court. Probation is normally recommended by the
district attorney for up to a period of two years. While you are on probation you must complete the
requirements imposed by the court and all the conditions imposed by the Allegheny County Pretrial
Services Department.
You must voluntarily waive the statute of limitations that attaches to the criminal act with which you
have been charged, and you must give up your right to a speedy trial under any and all federal and
state constitutional provisions, statutes or rules during the entire period of enrollment in the ARD
program.
You must fully understand that by accepting the ARD program you voluntarily give up any claim of
double jeopardy in the event your ARD probation is revoked by the Court.
To successfully complete your ARD probation program, and before these charges can be dismissed, you
must present to your probation officer the following:
1. A receipt showing your fines and court costs have been fully paid;
2. A letter from your citizen sponsor stating that you have performed your volunteer service, if ordered;
3. Receipts for any and all payments of restitution ordered by the court;
4. A signed statement certifying that you have participated fully in any treatment program ordered
by the court.
If you are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, you must also present a certificate
showing that you have undergone an alcoholic evaluation and any treatment found necessary, and that
you have completed an approved alcohol safe driving program.
When your ARD probation program is successfully completed, the district attorney will notify this court
and the charges against you will be dismissed by the court. However, if you fail to meet any of the
conditions of your ARD program or violate your probation by committing another crime during the
period of probation, your ARD probation shall be revoked and your case shall be listed for trial.
Please be advised that for those of you charged with a DUI who signed the document entitled
Stipulation and Waiver regarding prior convictions, your successful completion of the ARD program shall
be considered a first conviction for the purposes of computing whether a future conviction for a
8.21.20
violation of this statute shall be considered a second, third or subsequent conviction. Therefore, if you
are again convicted with a DUI within the next ten (10) years, you could be sentenced to a maximum
sentence of seven (7) years in jail upon your conviction.
Please note, for those of you who had your ARD interview before the PA Superior Court’s ruling in
Commonwealth v. Chichken the above section concerning calculating prior convictions does not apply to
you.
During your remote ARD hearing you must listen to the recommendations of the Commonwealth that
will be made by the assistant district attorney and be prepared to tell the court if you agree to comply
with these proposed conditions of your probation.
If you have been arrested since your ARD interview, you must alert the court of the circumstances of
this arrest immediately.
If you did not obtain an attorney and will be representing yourself during your ARD hearing, please
know that you have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one
can be appointed for you by the court at no cost to you. If you would like to be represented by an
attorney, please notify the court immediately.
If you have any questions concerning your rights or the ARD program, please notify the court of these
questions immediately.
It is your responsibility to read the above in its entirety and notify the court if you have any questions or
require clarification on any issue relating to your ARD hearing and ultimate ARD admission. By affixing
your signature below, you acknowledge that you have read the above in full and require no further
explanation of your rights. Your signature carries the same weight and significance had you been
administered this colloquy personally by an assistant district attorney.
Signature, Date
Print Name, Date
8.21.20
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CRIMINAL DIVISION
COMMON
WEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
vs.
Defendant
Case No.
WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND CONSENT TO ENTRY INTO ARD BY VIDEO CONFERENCE
1. Do you understand that you have a right to appear in person before a judge when entering
into ARD under Article 1, Section 9 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, as well as Pa.R.Crim.P. 602
(Presence of the Defendant)?
2. Do you agree to waive your right to be physical present in a courtroom when you enter into
ARD?
3. Do you understand that your court appearance will occur by video or telephonic conference?
4. Do you understand that you will not be able to appeal your entrance into ARD based upon you
not being physically present in court?
5. Do you consent to the judge accepting your entry into ARD and imposing the terms and
conditions of your ARD probation via video or telephonic conferencing?
6. Do you understand that you have a right to confront your accusers, question witnesses, and
secure the presence of various witnesses?
7. Do you understand that your entry into ARD will occur without requiring the police officers,
witnesses and/or victims in your case to appear in court?
8. Do you understand that the witnesses, victims, and/or police officers in your case will not be
present in court, will not be subpoenaed, will not be called testify, and will not participate in
the video or telephonic conference?
9. Do you understand that, if you had elected to exercise your right to a trial, the in-person
testimony of these witnesses could be necessary to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt?
8.21.20
10. Do you understand that if necessary witnesses did not appear at your trial listing, there is a
possibility your case would be dismissed?
11. Do you understand that by entering into ARD, you will not be able to raise on appeal or
withdraw your entry into ARD based on the fact witnesses were not present?
12. Your decision to waive your right to be physically present in the courtroom must be knowingly,
intelligently, and voluntarily made. If anyone has promised you anything to waive your
physical presence, entry into ARD will be rejected. If anyone has forced you or attempted to
force you to waive your physical appearance, entry into ARD will be rejected. Do you fully
understand this?
13. Has anyone forced you to waive your physical appearance in the courtroom?
14. Are you waiving your physical appearance in the courtroom of your own free will?
15. Have any threats been made to you to waive your physical appearance in the courtroom?
16. Has anyone (including your attorney) promised you anything in exchange for waiving your
physical presence in the courtroom?
17. Have you discussed with your attorney your right to appear in person for your entry into ARD?
18. Are you satisfied with the legal advice and representation of your attorney?
19. Do you have any physical or mental illness that affects your ability to understand the rights you
are waiving?
20. Are you presently taking any medication which affects your thinking or free will?
21. Do you understand the rights you are waiving today?
8.21.20
I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY, ANSWERED ALL OF THE QUESTIONS
TRUTHFULLY, AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EACH STATEMENT.
Defendant SIGNATURE
Date Signed
Attorney Certification
I cert
ify that I am an attorney admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and
represent the defendant herein. I have reviewed the above document with the defendant and the
answers recorded belong to the defendant. I made no threats or promises to the defendant to
execute this document. I know of no reason that the defendant cannot and is not knowingly,
intelligently, and voluntarily waiving his or her physical presence and waiving the presence of the
witnesses / victims in this case.
I cert
ify that this filing complies with the provisions of the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial
System of Pennsylvania: Case Records of the Appellate and Trial Courts that require filing confidential
information and documents differently than non-confidential information and documents.
Defense Counsel Date
Attorney No.:
8.21.20
click to sign
signature
click to edit
The PAePay
®
online case payments site allows
the public to securely make payments on cases
and payment plans with outstanding balances in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Common
Pleas and Magisterial District courts. Payments
are accepted using Visa, MasterCard, Discover
and American Express, as well as by ATM/Debit
cards.
This brochure will demonstrate the basic steps for
making a payment on a case or payment plan
online.
From Pennsylvania’s
Please review the following information:
Not all cases can be paid through PAePay . Therefore, you
may have other outstanding financial obligations with the
courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that do not
appear in PAePay.
Individual courts may restrict certain individuals or cases
from online payment. Certain types of cases will also be
restricted from online payment.
Failure to pay your amount due on any cases or payment
plan may not prevent further court action and could result
in the issuance of a warrant or suspension of your driver’s
license. When making a payment, if you cannot pay in full,
your total payment must still be satisfied by any court
mandated due date.
The processing of payments is dependent upon the
individual court to which the payment has been made.
Please submit any payments that are time-sensitive with
enough time to process the payments. Payments submitted
without sufficient processing time may not prevent further
court action.
Only Traffic, Non-Traffic, Summary, Summary Appeal and
Criminal cases can be paid through PAePay. If you choose
to plead not guilty to a traffic citation, you must attend a
hearing and you will not be able to use PAePay until the
case is fully disposed.
Any questions regarding your cases, payment
obligations, and due dates should be directed to the
court where the case was filed.
*
* For your protection, credit/debit card information is
not saved when processing an online payment
through the PAePay system.
Additional information on how to use the PAePay
online case payments site is available in the User
Guide. Access the User Guide by opening the
PAePay page and clicking on the Help link in the
upper-right corner. The User Guide also provides
additional provisions of the PAePay system and
troubleshooting recommendations.
Please note that due to the technology used in
creating the site, using Internet Explorer 11 and
above is recommended. The use of pop-up block-
ers may prevent the site from working properly.
The reporting functions on the site require Adobe
Acrobat Reader.
Need more details?
Important Information
®
Online Case Payments
Administrative Office of
Pennsylvania Courts
Need more help?
Click Help & Support to find help
topics and tutorials.
Ready to get started?
Log onto https://ujsportal.pacourts.us and
click on Fines, Costs, & Restitution under the
Pay Online menu!
8.21.20
Making the Payment - Basic Steps
Sear
ching for cases and payment plans on which to make a payment
When the online payment page opens, there are several options available to search for the case you are looking for. To begin the search, click on the link for
the type of search you want to perform. You can search by Citation Number, Payment Plan Number, Docket Number, name of the person, or organiza-
tion/company on the case. Please note that payments can only be accepted online for court offices that have chosen to participate. For a full list of partici-
pating counties and court offices, please visit the website. If a court office is not participating, check back occasionally or contact the court office. Addi-
tional counties and court offices will be added as their systems are upgraded.
On the next screen, select the court where the case was filed (for example, Court of
Common Pleas or Magisterial District Court).
If searching by Citation Number, Payment Plan Number or Docket Number, there
is a field available to search directly by that number. Enter the number in that field.
OR
If searching by name, enter at least the Last Name and First Name. Enter additional
information in the remaining fields to return fewer results in the search.
3
After entering the information for the search, click SEARCH.
Adding cases or payment plans to the shopping cart?
When cases or payment plans are displayed, select the
checkboxes for each case or payment plan that you
want to make a payment. Click ADD TO CART to go to
the shopping cart.
Making a payment on the cases or payment plans in the shopping cart
If making a payment on an undisposed Traffic case, you will need to
click ACCEPT in order to proceed to the shopping cart. This will en-
ter a plea of guilty on the case.
In the shopping cart, enter the Amount to Pay for each case or pay-
ment plan. Click CHECKOUT to proceed to make the payment.
The US Bank E-Payment Service site opens and displays the summary of what you have selected for payment. Enter your Contact Information. Select your
Payment Method and enter the card information. Select whether to use your contact information for the billing address or use a different address. If needed,
enter your billing address. Click CONTINUE. On the last screen, review the details of the transaction and click CONFIRM. A convenience fee of $2.75
will be added to your total payment amount. You w ill receive a confirm ation. Print the confirm ation for your records.
8.19.20
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5
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8.21.20
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
PRETRIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ARD/ PRETRIAL SUPERVISION
564 FORBES AVE – 4
TH
FLOOR
PITTSBURGH PA 15219
(412) 350-4632 FAX (412) 350-3469
GENERAL RULES FOR ARD PROBATIONERS
As a res
ult of your acceptance into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Program (ARD), you have been placed on a period of
probation. Your probation officer will be assigned on the day you are accepted into the ARD Program. If you are
unsure who your probation officer is, call (412)350-4632.
If you are convicted of a crime committed while on probation or if you violate any of the conditions of your ARD
probation, a violation report will be sent to the Court, a violation hearing will be scheduled, and you could be revoked
from the ARD Program.
Should a problem arise, or questions occur concerning the conditions of your probation, consult with your probation
officer, as it is his/her responsibility to help you in the interpretation of the requirements and conditions of your ARD
probation
1. You must report to your probation officer as instructed. Should you be unable to report, notify the
Pretrial Services Department at once by letter or telephone and make the necessary arrangements to
report.
2. You must notify the Pretrial Services Department at once of any change of address or employment.
You will make every effort to obtain and maintain employment and meet your financial
responsibilities, by making monthly payments to the Department of Court Records for fines, costs,
and restitution.
3. You will be on good behavior and comply with all municipal, county, state and federal criminal laws
and with any instructions given to you by the Pretrial Services Department.
4. You will abstain from the unlawful possession, use, or sale of illicit drugs and all intoxicating
beverages. You will be required to undergo urinalysis if directed by the Pretrial Services Department
during your probation period.
I hereby acknowledge that I have read, or have had read to me, the foregoing rules of my ARD probation. I
fully understand them and agree to follow them. Also, I fully understand the penalties involved should I, in any
manner, violate them.
Print Name Defendant Signature
Date
8.19.20
8.21.20
click to sign
signature
click to edit
ARD Probation Information
Your probation under the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program is effective today. Your
Allegheny County Pretrial Services Probation Officer is indicated below:
Dan Trbovich
412-350-2347 (Alternatives)
DTrbovich@alleghenycourts.us
Reginald
Robinson
412-350-2334 (Non-DUI)
robinsonr@alleghenycourts.us
Tim Dugan
412-350-2351 (Out of County)
timothy.dugan@alleghenycourts.us
Chris Boyko
412-350-2352 (Mon Yough)
cboyko@alleghenycourts.us
Jody Reola
412-350-6959 (Mercy/ WPIC)
Jody.reola@alleghenycourts.us
ALL OFFENSES
ARD Probation Rules
Your probation officer is required to submit a violation report and schedule a hearing with the court for any
of the following:
1. Failure to complete all court-ordered stipulations by the end of your probation;
2. Failure to report, if directed;
3. Failure to pay all fines, costs and restitution as directed; or
4. The consumption of alcohol or illegal substance(s).
Contact your probation officer immediately if any of the following occur:
1. Your address or telephone number changes;
2. You are arrested for a new offense while on probation.
ARD Fines/Costs/Restitution
Court fines, costs and restitution are to be paid either in person or by mail to:
Department of Court Records
Allegheny County Courthouse
436 Grant Street, Room 114
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
OR, paid online at www.ujsportal.pacourts.us.
If you have been court ordered to pay restitution, monthly payments are required.
Payments in the form of cash or money orders are accepted. Personal checks are not accepted.
If you have questions regarding fines, costs or restitution, you may contact the Department of Court Records
at 412-350-6073.
Community Service
Individuals ordered by the court to perform community service must advise their probation officer of the
name and address of the non-profit agency for which the community service is being performed.brid
You must keep a record of your community service hours and obtain a signature from an individual in authority
confirming service hours completed.
Upon completion of your community service obligation, documentation confirming your service hours must
be submitted to your probation officer either by fax 412-350-3469 OR by U.S. Mail to:
Allegheny County Pretrial Services
Attention: (Your probation officer’s name)
Manor Building
564 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
ALLEGHENY COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
PRETRIAL SERVICES
564 FORBES AVENUE, 4
TH
FLOOR, PITTSBURGH, PA 15219
TELEPHONE: 412-350-4632 FACSIMILE: 412-350-3469
8.21.20
DUI OFFENSES ONLY
Requirements & Treatment
Individuals placed on ARD as a result of a DUI are required to undergo an evaluation at one of two locations;
the Manor Building (Downtown) or the Highway Safety Office (North Hills). This evaluation is mandated by
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is known as a Court Reporting Network (CRN) (pronounced “crin”)
Evaluation. Payment for the CRN Evaluation is not required at the time of your appointment but is required
to be paid before the completion of your probation as part of your court costs and fines. You must call 412-
350-4632 with your Docket/CC # available, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 A.M. and
4:30 P.M., to schedule your CRN Evaluation.
Once your CRN Evaluation is completed, a Drug and Alcohol Assessment may be required, and further
treatment may be deemed necessary for the successful completion of your probation. Drug and alcohol
treatment costs are payable at the agency to which you will be assigned.
DUI offenders participating in the ARD program are required to complete a minimum of 12.5 hours of Alcohol
Highway Safety School. You will be provided Alcohol Highway Safety School instructions upon completion of
your CRN Evaluation.
Driver’s License Suspension
You will be notified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot), via U.S. Mail, of your
driver’s license suspension approximately 4 to 6 weeks after your ARD hearing.
Upon receiving your suspension notice from PennDot, you must acknowledge the suspension by relinquishing
your driver’s license to PennDot in accordance with PennDot instructions.
Credit for your license suspension begins upon PennDot’s receipt of your license. Failure to surrender your
license timely will extend the length of time your license is suspended.
If you are cited for driving while your license is suspended, you will be in violation of Pennsylvania Vehicle
Code §1543 Driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, and subject to incarceration and
fines.
You will be required to pay a $70.00-$100.00 fee to PennDot in order to have your license restored. PennDot
will provide information regarding payment of this obligation to you via U.S. Mail. PennDot will accept a
personal check.
If you have questions regarding license suspension, you may reference information at the PennDot website
at www.dot.state.pa.us.
Act 122
If you are receiving ARD for a DUI offense a second time, PennDot will consider you to be an Act 122 client.
ACT 122 of 1991, as passed by legislature, provides the following requirements must be completed before
your Pennsylvania driver’s license will be returned to you.
1. Court costs, fines and restitution must be paid in full before your driving privilege will be restored. (If
you are sentenced to a 60 day suspension and you have not paid your fines, costs and restitution in full
within those 60 days, your suspension will continue until you have satisfied this obligation.)
2. Alcohol Highway Safety School classes must be completed and the costs thereof paid in full.
3. Any required treatment (drug & alcohol) must be completed and the costs thereof paid in full.
Once your requirements are completed and all fines and costs have been paid in full, contact the Department
of Court Records, Division of Licensing, at 412-350-6066 in order to have your driver’s license restored.
Docket/CC #: __________________
CRN Appointment:
____________________ at_________
(date) (time)
8.21.20
APPOINTMENT RESCHEDULING
If an emergency arises requiring the rescheduling of your CRN Evaluation appointment, you must
telephone 412-350-4632 to reschedule. You will not be charged a fee for your first request to reschedule.
A fee in the amount of $25 may be charged for subsequent rescheduling requests.
CRN EVALUATION OFFICE DIRECTIONS
DOWNTOWN OFFICE
Pretrial Services
Manor Building
564 Forbes Avenue, 4
th
Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
From the Grant Street exit of the Courthouse:
Exiting the Courthouse, walk LEFT onto Grant Street and then make an immediate LEFT onto Forbes
Avenue. Continue across Ross Street (behind the Courthouse), and proceed to the Manor Building at
564 Forbes Avenue which is on the right side of Forbes Avenue. Take the elevator to the 4
th
floor and
report to the window marked, “Alcohol Highway Safety Program, CRN Evaluation Services.”
NORTH HILLS OFFICE
Pretrial Services
5300 Perry Highway
Pittsburgh, PA 15229
(Corner of Perry Highway and Center Avenue)
From North: Take 279 South to the Perrysville Avenue exit (Exit 5). At the traffic light turn left onto Perry
Highway (Route 19N). Pass the Park & Ride (on left). At Center Avenue make a right, and then an
immediate left into the North Hills Office parking lot.
From South: Follow Route 51 North through the Liberty Tunnels and follow the signs for Veterans
Bridge/579 North which will become Route 279 North. Continue along 279 North to the Perrysville
Avenue exit (Exit 5). At the stop sign turn right and stay in the left lane. At the traffic light turn left onto
Perry Highway (Route 19N). At Center Avenue make a right, and then an immediate left into the North
Hills Office parking lot.
From East: Take 376 through the Squirrel Hill Tunnels. Exit onto the Boulevard of the Allies and follow
the signs for Veterans Bridge/579 North which will become Route 279 North. Continue along 279 North
to the Perrysville Avenue exit (Exit 5). At the stop sign turn right and stay in the left lane. At the traffic
light turn left onto Perry Highway (Route 19N). At Center Avenue make a right, and then an immediate
left into the North Hills Office parking lot.
From West: Take 60 East through the Fort Pitt Tunnels. Follow the signs for 279 North. Continue along
279 North to the Perrysville Avenue exit (Exit 5). At the stop sign turn right and stay in the left lane. At
the traffic light turn left onto Perry Highway (Route 19N). At Center Avenue make a right, and then an
immediate left into the North Hills Office parking lot.
8.21.20