District Attorney Resources and Information
These resources are to help navigate the justice system for the accused and their counsel.
Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (“ARD”) Program—DUI-Related
The DUI ARD program is a pre-trial diversionary program for first time DUI offenders.
To be eligible for the program an applicant must meet certain criteria, the most important being that they have had no prior DUIs. Initial screening for acceptance into the DUI ARD program is managed by the District Attorney’s Office. The Adult Probation Office and ultimately a judge of the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas will also review the application to determine where an applicant is eligible for the DUI ARD program.
Individuals interested in entering the DUI ARD program must waive their preliminary hearing. All DUI ARD applications must be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office by the date of formal arraignment. DUI ARD applications are available here on the forms link on the DA main page.
Individuals who are accepted into the DUI ARD program typically are placed on probation for six months and must comply with certain conditions, which are tailored to their rehabilitative needs. Examples of probationary requirements while in the DUI ARD program include random drug testing, community service hours, and repayment of restitution.
There are a number of benefits to the DUI ARD program. The most significant benefits are that entrance into the program is not considered a conviction and that the offense is expunged from the individual’s record upon successful completion of the ARD program.
Alternative Sentencing Program
The ASP program is an intermediate punishment program for second time DUI offenders. The goal of the ASP program is to protect the public by ensuring incarceration and intensive supervision of second time DUI offenders, while allowing offenders to maintain employment and receive necessary alcohol treatment.
Applications for the ASP program are due by the date of formal arraignment. Application forms for the ASP program are available here: ASP.pdf or at the District Attorney’s Office. All applicants are screened prior to acceptance into the program to determine their eligibility.
If accepted into the ASP program, an offender’s sentence is determined by the specific facts of their DUI arrest; however, all offenders accepted into this program will serve less time in prison than if they entered a guilty plea. For example, a second-time, mid-tier DUI offender would likely be sentenced to spend one week in Northampton County Prison rather than one month and given the benefit of spending the remaining three weeks on house arrest. Following a period of incarceration, the offender remains under the supervision of the Northampton County Adult Probation Office for a period equivalent to the length of the statutory maximum sentence. Offenders accepted in the ASP program also have to comply with various probationary conditions, including completion of rehabilitative treatment and community service.
Mental Health Court
Northampton County’s Mental Health Court is one of the County’s two established problem-solving courts. Mental Health Court offers evidence-based treatment programs that are designed to address some of the underlying causes of crime.
Defendants who are interested in applying for admission into Mental Health Court must submit an application and supporting documentation to the District Attorney’s Office. To be eligible to participate in Mental Health Court, a defendant must be at least eighteen years of age and reside in Northampton County. Further, eligibility depends on the type of offense with which a defendant is charged, the defendant’s prior record, the defendant’s mental health diagnosis, and whether the defendant’s mental health condition was a causal factor in the charged offenses.
If accepted into Mental Health Court, defendants are given the opportunity to participate in a treatment-based diversionary program. Representatives from the Judiciary, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, Pretrial Supervision, and the Mental Health team work closely with local treatment providers to provide support and oversight to defendants while they are being treated for their underlying mental illness. The purpose of Mental Health Court is to reduce the potential for recidivism by giving individuals the tools they need to cope with their mental health issues, as well as to avoid overly-harsh punishments for behaviors that are directly related to their diagnosis. Successful completion of the program results in a dismissal of the underlying criminal charges.
It should be noted that although Northampton County does not have a specifically designated Veterans Court, Mental Health Court has specific screenings in place to identify veterans and to provide specific, tailored treatment for their individual needs.
To apply go to the forms page for an application or come to the DA's office and fill out the application in person.
- Administrative Offices of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC)
601 Commonwealth Avenue
Suite 1500
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration
- Northampton County Public Defender’s Office
669 Washington Street
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/PUBDEF/Pages/default.aspx
- Northampton County Adult Probation
105 South Union Street
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
https://www.nccpa.org/adult-probationN
- Northampton County Sherriff’s Department
669 Washington Street
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/SHERIFF/Pages/default.aspx
- Northampton County Bar Association
155 South Ninth Street
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
- Office of Attorney General—Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
https://www.attorneygeneral.gov
- Northampton County Court of Common Pleas
669 Washington Street
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
- Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole
1101 South Front Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17104
https://www.pbpp.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
- Northampton County Juvenile Probation Department
650 Ferry Street
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
- Pennsylvania State Police (PSP)
https://www.psp.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
- Northampton County Magisterial District Judges
https://www.nccpa.org/MDJInfo/MDJListing
- Pennsylvania State Police Megan’s Law Website
https://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (UJS) Web Portal
Private Criminal Complaints
Typically, the police are responsible for filing charges against people who commit crimes. The Office of the District Attorney strongly recommends that the victim of any crime committed within Northampton County contact their local Police Department. Police officers are trained to investigate potential crimes, determine whether a crime was committed, and file the appropriate charges.
However, Rule 506 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure allows for individuals who are not members of law enforcement to submit their own private criminal complaints. A private individual has the same burden as a law enforcement officer when filing criminal charges, including providing all the information required under Rule 504 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. An individual who files a private criminal complaint must establish probable cause that the defendant named within the complaint committed a specific criminal offense. Mere allegations without evidence will not suffice.
FILING YOUR COMPLAINT
To begin this process you must first obtain the applicable form, available on the DA Forms page or at your local Magisterial District Court office. Once the form has been completely filled out, it should be submitted to the Magisterial District Court that has jurisdiction where the crime occurred. From there, the complaint will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office, where an Assistant District Attorney will determine whether the facts alleged in the complaint satisfy the probable cause requirement.
IF THE COMPLAINT IS APPROVED
If the private criminal complaint is approved, you must appear at any and all court proceedings that result and you will be responsible for providing the Magisterial District Court with the names and addresses of any individuals you wish to call as witnesses on your behalf.
IF THE COMPLAINT IS DISAPPROVED
If the private criminal complaint is disapproved, the District Attorney’s Office will return the complaint to the Magisterial District Court, who will notify you that process will not be issued and provide the reason why. If you disagree with the conclusion reached by the District Attorney’s Office, you may petition the Court of Common Pleas for review of the decision.
Common Questions to the DA
Where is the District Attorney’s Office?
How can I contact the District Attorney’s Office?
Where do I park if I'm coming to the District Attorney's Office?
Who works at the District Attorney’s Office?
How do I report a crime?
What is the general criminal process?
I am the victim in a criminal case and need assistance. Who can I contact?
I want to apply for ARD. What should I do?
Who decides if I get ARD?
What happens if my ARD application is denied?
I received a subpoena to appear in court. What is it and what should I do?
A case I am involved in is going to trial. What should I expect?
What does expungement mean?
