Criminal justice client rehabs can be considered as a considerably better option than jail time or significant fines for individuals who have already been convicted of any kind of drug or alcohol related crime. By way of example, someone who has been found guilty of driving while impaired of drugs or alcohol may be eligible to get rehab services for problem rather than serving time in prison. The judge might even order the individual receive rehabilitation, either alone or together with other sentencing. First-time offenders in particular will often be given the opportunity go with a criminal justice client rehab instead of other sentencing, and it is well-advised that they take advantage of it when it is an option. The theory behind criminal justice client rehabs is that it is much more effective and efficient to invest time and energy into rehab than punishment. Much research has been carried out to find out how effective this approach is on recidivism rates, i.e. if the individual returns or not to criminal justice system following treatment. All indicators seem to be quite positive, and criminal justice clients who experience treatment have better potential for remaining out of the judicial system after treatment.