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Judge John Creuzot them: You can avoid thatvitamins, multivitamins. Pregnant women, there’s some kind of vitamin he gives them. In other words, if you’re clean, you can keep yourself healthy enough so you won’t have a dilute problem:’ Judge Creuzot in Dallas finds Mayes’ approach exceedingly harsh. “We just don’t throw people in jail,” he says. In fact, long jail stints can be self-defeatingCreuzot says most research shows that jail terms longer than about five days for drug court offenders can be harmfulisolating someone who needs support. Judge Watts pointed out that defense attorneys are present at all her drug court hearings to guard offenders’ rights Courtesy o Ju ‘ge Jo n Creuzot to due process. In fact, drug court guidelines issued by the Department of Justice stipulate that defense attorneys be present at all hearings. No defense counsel was present when the Observer witnessed a session in Mayes’ court on November 6. Still, the judges interviewed for this story said lawmakers shouldn’t place any restrictions on drug courts. “Judges and the community should decide what works best for that community,” Bennett says. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who helps refer cases to Bennett’s court, put it this way: “You can’t make the list [of restrictions] long enough for a half-wit judge. A wise judge doesn’t need a list.” NOVEMBER 30, 2007 THE TEXAS OBSERVER 13 4