Criminal justice client rehabs can be considered as being a far better option than incarceration or heavy fines for those who have been convicted of any sort of drug or alcohol related crime. For instance, anyone who has been in prison for dui of drugs or alcohol may qualify to receive rehabilitation services because of their problem as an alternative to serving time in prison. The judge may even order the individual receive rehabilitation, either alone or along with other consequences. First-time offenders specifically tend to be given the ability to choose a criminal justice client rehab as an alternative to other sentencing, and it is well-advised that they take advantage of it if it is a choice. The theory behind criminal justice client rehabs is it is much more effective and efficient to invest time and energy into treatment than punishment. Much research has been completed to find out how effective this method is on recidivism rates, i.e. if the individual returns or not to criminal justice system following treatment. The signs and indicators seem quite positive, and criminal justice clients that do experience rehabilitation have better chance of remaining out of the system after rehab.