Domestic Violence and Anger Management
California law specifies that domestic violence is abuse of a current spouse, ex-spouse, a family member, and other individuals involved in intimate relationships such as dating. It is common for people to ask family attorneys about anger management classes. Specifically, they want to know if the law requires individuals convicted of a crime that involves one of the people listed above to attend anger management classes. If the individual is actually convicted of domestic violence then they will have to successfully complete anger management treatment. This is particularly true if the individual entered into a plea agree with the prosecutor. Rather than serve jail time, the individual agrees to the anger management classes. The judge will impose the jail time if the individual fails to complete the classes.
Even when the domestic violence charges are reduced to a minor offense such as trespassing or disturbing the peace, the offending individual is required to complete anger management classes if probation is awarded. A family attorney can help you get a waiver on this particular requirement if there are extenuating circumstances.