These courts were selected from a survey of 300 State and local court systems and considered to be examples of exemplary programs. The case studies revealed that these courts have several desirable characteristics that other courts might want to adopt. These include prompt processing of eligible defendants, with entry into treatment taking place within 5 days of arrest or sooner and the availability of a comprehensive drug treatment program that is part of the drug court organization and has facilities near the court. Additional characteristics include participant status hearing every 30 days supported by well-designed and up-to- date defendant progress reports, intermediate sanction options available for use by the judge when relapses occur, evening as well as day hours for both court appearances and treatment sessions, and monthly meetings of a drug court management panel. The panel consists of prosecutors, public defenders, judges, police, and treatment providers. Among other important factors are responsiveness of all parties to the drug court judge, training, and procedures that dramatize successes. Tables, program profiles, and 18 references