The crimes that these people have committed varies. The type of person sentenced to Drug Court also greatly varies. The Drug Court serves anyone who commits to going to treatment, becoming clean, and making a better life for themselves. Drug Court is a beneficial and effective alternative to jail sentences because it exists to empower individuals to be respectable members of their communities. Client participation depends on the level he or she is at in the program.
Clients come to court to be assessed and evaluated by the judge.
The judge meets with the other professionals prior to the court meeting to discuss the client s progress. When the court is in session, the judge calls each client up, one at a time, and examines his or her progress. The examination is informal and the client is able to approach the bench without permission and talk fairly freely. The judge gives advice and expectations for the client s continuing progress. After each client has been evaluated, the court is adjourned.