Dealing with a court mandated task of finding and fulfilling anger management classes in Los Angeles can be overwhelming. Yet, completing this order by the court is sometimes the only way to keep out of jail or face other consequences.
Many people ask us at Anger Management 818 how many classes are needed and when they will complete the course. Those factors are entirely relative as our program follows a 52-week workbook called Anger Management Essentials exploring different topics every week. There therefore is not necessarily a beginning or end to the program so court-ordered clients are led by the court and judge decisions on what is suitable for their cases. So, a progress report to the courts outlining all the requirements that may have been ordered by the judge would be the equivalent of an anger management certificate.
This is why we stress the importance of obtaining information about your court case through court minutes, court-order, or case number. It is within those parameters described in these documents that details the standards admissible for completion of one’s court-order. Although the California Association of Anger Management Providers (CAAMP) presents an approved list of programs, such as Anger Management 818, which follow general expectations of what an anger management program could entail to possibly be accepted by the courts, there are no legal standards upheld by the state of California that legitimize any given program; meaning, CAAMP providers are the closest to what would be court approved anger management classes. With this said, it is up to the individual to provide documentation and proper information of court proceedings in order to even find out what program to enroll in and for how many weeks.
Now, the fact that many court-orders include a number of weeks, often times 12, 26, or 52, indicates that it is recommended to take one class, once a week. A written accelerated waiver by the judge of each case is required to allow more than one class a week for our program because, ultimately, it is up to that judge to set the standards required for the order; without consent from the judge, we cannot move forward with allowing multiple classes within the week to complete any given order.
There is also the question of online court ordered anger management classes and if they are admissible by most courts. Although our program offers online classes, this needs to be verified by the court minutes in order to ensure that a judge has not specified otherwise for any given case. This is why obtaining court minutes, which everyone is entitled to, is so important, and often the first step. To pick up a physical copy of your court minutes, you can access them for free by visiting the court house of your case or pay a small fee to access it online.
Drawing from our blog on court-ordered classes in California, here are the steps to take for a court order of anger management.
- Find your court details (case number, courthouse, probation officer, attorney). If it’s missing, contact your attorney, call your probation officer (if you’re on probation), visit the courthouse clerk’s office and ask for the minute order or proof of the judge’s order, or visit the online court case portal.
- Get started with your court ordered anger management classes today. Many courts expect enrollment within 21 days. It’s best not to wait and start the process sooner. You have more time selecting the preferred anger management program for you. More importantly, don’t delay the process. Too often, folks call us on a Sunday to enroll and need to show the court the following day that they have enrolled. There are steps to the process. Make the call during business hours, enroll (which can take 15 minutes), schedule the intake appointment (can take a week), and attend the intake appointment.
- Contact an approved anger management provider, especially one aligned with the CAAMP list, if your order requires it (California cases often do). Don’t risk wasting your time and finances with a program the court will not accept. So many folks get frustrated when they learn that the anger management class they took is not approved. They take the easy route of less time and a downloadable certificate, only to learn that the courts do not accept it. An anger management provider should be able to explain how their program works, whether they provide proof of enrollment, whether they provide progress reports, whether they meet CAAMP-related expectations, and the program and material they use to teach (ours is Anger Management Essentials).
- Enroll and start attending weekly anger management classes. Once per week is typical and often required. Missing the enrollment window can lead to non-compliance, which may result in a probation violation or additional court consequences. The court often expects you to show proof you started, not just that you “plan to start.”
- Track your attendance and keep copies of any enrollment/progress/completion documents. Enrollment/intake does not count as a class. Counselors can make errors and not keep accurate records. At Anger Management 818, participants keep track of their attendance; staff do as well, and a group sign-in is offered as a backup in case of any discrepancies. Ask your anger management program how they keep track of your attendance.
- Ask the clerk whether your court requires reports to be sent directly or if you can submit them yourself. Courts allow reports to be sent by fax, though participants sometimes prefer a record of their report. Find out your options so you’re not stuck without a report on the day of your court. Many anger management programs require a written request when needing reports, to allow ample time to prepare them.
If you have any more questions, please contact the Anger Management team directly at (818) 990-0999.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individualized mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified professional.
Annette Semerdjian is the Client Experience & Marketing Coordinator at Anger Management 818. She is a multi-media journalist and administrative professional who spends her free time volunteering at animal shelters and writing poetry.
