Eight first-time offenders in the criminal justice system were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program on Monday by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program, their record is wiped clean.However, if they fail to complete it or are revoked from it, then they would face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.All were placed for a year, unless otherwise noted:Carlos Acosta Castellon, 27, of Hazleton, was placed on a driving under the influence charge. He was arrested on Nov. 21, 2015, by Weatherly police along Laurel Street. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600 for the cost of the program, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.Katearn Kurtis Capers, 29, of Brooklyn, New York, was placed on a charge of possession of an instrument of crime. He was arrested on June 2 by state police at Fern Ridge following a traffic stop along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township.He was assessed $650 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.Eric Thomas Copelton, 37, of Long Pond, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Aug. 9, 2015, along Route 534 by Kidder Township police. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $650, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.Cynthia Renee Griffin, 54, of Albrightsville, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on June 18 by state police at Fern Ridge along Lake Drive in Kidder Township. A test revealed a 0.08 BAC.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.Heather Lynn Herberger, 36, of Lansford, was placed on a charge of theft. She was arrested on Jan. 12 by Lansford police for a series of thefts at Boyer's Market, 500 W. Bertsch St., where she was an employee at the time.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service, make restitution to Boyer's for $189.59 and to stay out of the store.Gordon Allen Korchak, 67, of White Haven, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on May 13 along Route 903 in Albrightsville by state police at Fern Ridge. A test revealed a 0.15 BAC.He was assessed $500, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 30 days.Kenneth Robert Remes Sr., 49, of Nesquehoning, was placed for two years on a charge of possession of an offensive weapon - laser gun. He was arrested on June 19 by Nesquehoning police in the area of 127 W. Catawissa St.He was assessed $650 and ordered to render 100 hours of community service.Jarryd Smith, 26, of Plymouth, Luzerne County, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on May 30 by Hickory Run State Park rangers in Lake Harmony in Kidder Township. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.Eric Wrightson, 27, of Lafayette Hill, Montgomery County, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Feb. 14 by state police at Fern Ridge along Route 903 in Penn Forest Township. No test result was listed.He was assessed $650, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000, a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program and those with DUI charges must follow all recommendations of their drug and alcohol evaluation.