Sentencing selected offenders to perform services for the community is becoming an increasingly popular sentencing option for judges. Premised on the notion that a fine and/or jail term is not always in the best interest of society or the offender, many courts have embraced the concept of community service in lieu of the traditional sentences, particularly in cases involving misdemeanors. This document sets forth several types of community service alternative sentencing programs (also known as court referral programs) and discusses the issues and problems typically and/or potentially facing these programs. After an introductory chapter discussing the theory behind alternative sentencing, Chapter 2 describes three different types of alternative community service or court referral programs. Chapter 2 concludes with programmatic issues of concern to planners and administrators of such projects. Chapter 3 presents the legal issues concerning sentencing to community service. Chapter 4 discusses the need and methods for monitoring and evaluating court referral programs. The projects and their results described in this document suggest that sentencing to community service as an alternative to fines and jail may be of benefit to interested communities. (Author)