Before you start
This guide walks through the order of tasks most people in Elmira face once a class is on their to-do list. It assumes nothing about your case. If you are choosing a class on your own, skip ahead to Step 3.
Step 1: Identify which court is involved
Look at the top of your paperwork for the court's name. Chemung County's page on the court system, cited on this page, gives the general split. County Court handles the prosecution of crimes committed within the county. City Courts have criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanors and lesser offenses. Family Court deals with matters involving children and families.
Knowing which one issued your paper tells you whose clerk to call with questions, and where proof of completion may eventually need to land. Write the court's name, your case or docket number and the judge's name on a single index card or note on your phone.
Step 2: Pull out the exact wording
Read the condition word for word. Circle anything about:
- the number of hours or sessions
- a deadline or a next court date
- whether a specific program is named
- who receives proof: the court, your officer, or your lawyer
If a detail is missing or unclear, ask before you sign up for anything. Guessing can cost you a full class you then have to repeat.
Step 3: Talk with probation, if you are supervised
The Chemung County Probation Department is at 203 William Street in Elmira. According to its page, it prepares investigations for criminal and family courts, handles intake for alleged juvenile delinquents and collects restitution owed to crime victims. If you report there, your officer is the person to clear a class with.
Only the court or the probation officer decides whether a given program fits an order. This directory can't decide that, and providers can't either. Bring a short description of each class you are considering to your next appointment, or send it by email, and ask for a yes or no in writing.
Step 4: List your limits honestly
Before contacting providers, jot down what you can actually manage for the next two or three months:
- days and times free from work, school or child care
- transportation around Elmira and Chemung County
- your budget per session or for the full class
- any language, hearing or mobility needs
Being clear about these up front saves you from enrolling in a Tuesday group you can only reach every other week.
Step 5: Contact two or three providers
Use the listings on this page to reach a few independent providers. Ask each one the same set of questions so you can compare them side by side:
1. How many weeks does the class last, and how long is each meeting? 2. Is it a group or individual format, in person or by live video? 3. What is the total cost, and are there extra charges for intake or letters? 4. How are missed sessions handled? 5. What will the completion letter include, and who gets a copy?
Write the answers down. Vague replies about letters or attendance deserve a follow-up question.
Step 6: Get the choice cleared
Take your top pick back to your officer, or to the clerk or your attorney if you are not supervised. Wait for an answer before you pay. If they say no, ask what would work and repeat Step 5 with that in mind.
Step 7: Attend and keep records
Once you start, treat the class like a job shift. Arrive on time, keep your phone away, and take part. After each session, note the date and topic. Save receipts and any sign-in confirmations, whether on paper or by email.
Step 8: Deliver proof yourself
When you finish, ask the provider for the completion letter in writing. Make two copies. Hand-deliver or send one to whoever your order names, and keep the other. If your officer is on William Street, bring a copy to your next visit even if the provider says it already went out. Then confirm it was received.
If you are not under an order
Voluntary participants can use the same steps, minus the approval stage. You set the pace, pick the format and can switch providers if the fit is wrong. Some people start this way after a hard stretch at home or a tense season at work.
Safety first
If anger is putting anyone at risk right now, stop here and use the crisis line on this page, or call 911.