Before you start
This guide walks through the order of things for someone in Richmond who has been told, by a judge or a probation officer, to complete an anger management class. It also works if you are looking on your own, though you can skip the parts about court paperwork. The aim is simple: avoid paying for a class that does not fit what was asked of you, and finish with records nobody can question.
Step 1: Find the exact wording of your requirement
Pull out every paper from your case: the sentencing or disposition order, any bond conditions, and the probation intake sheet. Look for the number of hours or sessions, a completion deadline, and any words about format, such as "in person." Underline them. If you cannot find the order, the clerk of the court that heard your case can tell you how to request a copy.
Step 2: Work out which court and which building
Richmond City General District Court hears misdemeanor criminal cases in two places, according to its page cited below: the John Marshall Courts Building at 400 North 9th Street and the Marsh Manchester Courts Building at 920 Hull Street. The case number and courtroom on your papers will show which one. If your case involved a family or household member, it may instead have been heard in juvenile and domestic relations district court; the state's self-help page, also cited below, explains that those courts hear criminal cases where the defendant and alleged victim are family or household members. Knowing the right court tells you which clerk to call.
Step 3: Talk to the person who supervises you
If you are on probation, call your officer before you enroll. The Department of Corrections lists Richmond's District 1 office at 6866 Everglades Drive. Ask whether there is a list of programs the office prefers, or whether any class with the right length and format is acceptable. Only your officer or the court can say whether a specific class fits; a provider cannot promise that. If you are not on probation, the clerk's office is usually the place to ask.
Step 4: Make a short list of providers
Use the directory to find two or three independent providers that serve Richmond. For each one, write down the format (group, individual, or live video), the meeting day and time, the total number of sessions, and where they meet. A Tuesday-evening group close to home may suit a day worker; a Saturday-morning class may suit someone on rotating shifts.
Step 5: Ask each provider the same questions
Using the same questions makes the answers easy to compare:
- What does the completion letter include, and when is it sent?
- Can the letter go straight to my officer or the clerk?
- How is attendance tracked for video sessions?
- What happens if I miss one week?
- What is the full cost, in writing, before I start?
Write the answers next to each name on your list.
Step 6: Take your top choice back for a yes
Return to your officer or the clerk with the provider's name and details. Ask for a clear yes or no, and note who said it and on what date. If the answer is no, ask what would work instead, then go back to your list.
Step 7: Plan the logistics
Map the route from home and from work. If you will be crossing the city or riding the bus, check how long the trip takes at the hour your class meets. Put every session in your phone calendar with a reminder the day before, and add your deadline as a separate entry two weeks early.
Step 8: Attend and keep your own records
Arrive on time and sign whatever attendance sheet is used. After each session, write the date and topic in a notebook or a note on your phone. If a session is cancelled by the provider, ask for that in writing so it is not counted against you.
Step 9: Get the completion letter and deliver it
When you finish, request the completion letter right away. Read it before you leave: check that your name, case number and session count are correct. Deliver it the way your officer or the clerk asked, keep a copy, and ask for a receipt or confirmation that it was received.
Step 10: Close the loop
A week after delivery, call to confirm the letter is in your file. Keep your copies with the rest of your case papers until the case is fully closed.
A note on what this directory does
Civil Anger Solutions introduces people in Richmond to independent providers. It does not run classes, does not check providers' credentials, and cannot tell you whether a class will be accepted in your case. That decision rests with the court or your probation officer.