Before you start
This guide walks through the steps most Lubbock residents take between hearing the words "anger management" and handing in proof that a class is finished. It is written for people with a court requirement, but the middle steps apply just as well if you are going on your own.
Step 1: Find out which court your case is in
Pull out every page you were given at your hearing. Near the top you should find the name of the court and a cause number. The Lubbock County courts' local rules, cited below, explain the basic split: the District Clerk files felony cases after indictment, and the County Clerk files new misdemeanor cases, which then run in a county court-at-law. If your requirement came from a family case, it may have been set by the Associate Judge for Family Law, who handles temporary orders in divorce and parent-child cases and certain Family Code hearings.
Knowing the court matters because that court's order is the one you will be measured against. Highlight any line that mentions counseling, a class, a deadline or a number of hours.
Step 2: Talk to your supervision officer before you pay anyone
If you are on community supervision, your officer works out of the Lubbock community supervision and corrections department, listed by the state at 701 Main Street. Call or raise it at your next visit. Only the court or your officer decides whether a program fits your order, so get their answer first.
Useful questions to bring:
- Is there a minimum number of hours or sessions?
- Does the class have to be a group, or can it be one-on-one?
- Will an online class with live video be accepted?
- What form should the completion record take, and who sends it?
If you are not under supervision but have a family law order, ask your attorney or the court's staff the same questions.
Step 3: Make a short list of providers
Use this directory to find independent providers who serve Lubbock. We introduce you to them; we do not run classes or review anyone's background, so plan to do your own comparing. Aim for two or three names. For each, note the location, the days and times groups meet, and whether there is an online option.
Step 4: Call and ask practical questions
On each call, ask how long the program lasts from start to finish, how big the groups are, and what happens if you miss a session. Ask how they record attendance and whether they have sent completion letters to Lubbock County supervision officers before. Ask about their payment structure and whether there is a fee to start. Pay attention to whether the answers are clear. Be wary of anyone who tells you their class will count for your case no matter what the order says.
Step 5: Check the schedule against your real week
Lay the class times next to your work shifts, school runs and any regular appointments, including your supervision check-ins. If you work nights, travel for work, or juggle college classes of your own, a weekend or online group may be easier to keep. Map the route from home and from work; drive times across town are approximate and change with traffic and road work.
Step 6: Enroll and get it in writing
Once you choose, ask for written confirmation of your start date, the total number of sessions, and the attendance policy. Send a copy to your officer if they asked for one. Put every session in your phone calendar with a reminder the day before.
Step 7: Keep your own file
Start a folder, paper or digital, for this requirement. Keep your order, the provider's confirmation, receipts and a simple log of each session you attend. If a session is canceled or moved, write down the date and the reason. A tidy file makes the last step much easier and protects you if a record goes missing.
Step 8: Close the loop
When you finish, get the completion document from the provider and confirm it reached your officer or the court. Ask your officer to note it in your file, and keep your own copy. If there is any question about whether the requirement is satisfied, raise it right away rather than waiting for your next hearing.