Before clients are admitted to the TDTC program they are subject to an intensive screening process.
There process has 6 phases:

1. Crown screening
Public safety is the primary focus of Crown screening. Care is taken to ensure that violent offenders and large-scale drug traffickers are not admitted. Screening is based on:
• Client Application
• Application Questionnaire
• Any additional information an applicant chooses to submit
• Prosecution brief
• Criminal history
• Police input

2. Preliminary addictions assessment
This brief assessment is conducted by a TDTC Court Liaison and takes place in the cells at Old City Hall or TDTC courtroom.

3. TDTC team pre-court discussion
Pre-court discussions take place before the TDTC sits and includes input from various stakeholders:
• Crown
• Court Liaison workers
• Probation
• Duty Counsel/Defence Counsel
• Bail Program
• TDTC Judge

4. In-court interview by the TDTC judge
A frank discussion with the TDTC judge gives applicants a solid understanding of the program.
• Rigorous schedule
• Rights that must be waived in order to participate
• Motivation for entering the program

If the judge is satisfied that the applicant is appropriate for the program, the applicant pleads guilty to their offence and is released on a stringent TDTC bail. (This includes a 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. curfew.)

5. In-depth addiction assessment at CAMH
The day after release, applicants undergo a lengthy addictions assessment at CAMH.

6. 30-day assessment period
Once CAMH is satisfied that the applicant is suitable for the program, they begin participating on a provisional basis for 30 days. Within that period if they decide not to continue, or if the TDTC determines they are not appropriate for the program, the applicant may choose to return to the criminal justice system, strike their guilty plea and face justice.

After the 30 days, if the applicant is formally accepted into the program, the option to have their guilty plea struck is relinquished.