By Ana Ley
Sunday, June 8, 2014 | 2 a.m.
Every day in the valley, thousands of people facing criminal prosecution are shepherded into special courtrooms where judges aim to transform their troubled lives.
These specialty courts target some of the community’s most needy and neglected — impoverished veterans, habitual criminals, drug addicts and prostitutes.
Judges typically dole out lighter sentences in return for defendants’ promises to finish mandatory rehabilitation programs and meet other criteria.
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