A 35-year-old woman who has successfully completed the city of Las Vegas Women In Need Court will graduate during a ceremony at 10 am. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, in Department 1 at the Regional Justice Center, located at 200 Lewis Ave. The Honorable Cynthia Leung will preside. Ward 1 Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian will participate in the graduation.

Women In Need (WIN) Court is a specialized program in the city of Las Vegas Municipal Court that is available to women who have at least three prior convictions for charges related to soliciting prostitution. Most have a long history of soliciting and drug-related charges. All participants have 180 days of jail time suspended for one year, which is cleared upon successful completion of the program.

The program finds housing for the participants and requires them to complete drug treatment and counseling programs. The defendants must stay out of trouble and abstain from drugs and alcohol during the program.

Tuesday's graduate has a criminal history that began in 2000, with charges ranging from vehicle embezzlement, drugs, credit card fraud and prostitution. After release from Nevada State Prison in November 2007, she was homeless and involved in the street life of drugs and prostitution.

In August 2009, she made the commitment to change her life by accepting the WIN Court program and its requirements. Today, she has successfully completed her recovery programs, is employed and is an inspiration to other program participants. After a long absence, she has reconnected with her family members, including her mother, sister, grandparents and teenage daughter. This graduate epitomizes the goals and successes of the WIN Court program.

WIN Court currently is funded by an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and a grant from the Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts. The court celebrated its first graduate in August 2008.