Before you begin
This guide walks through the sequence most people in Visalia follow once a judge or probation officer tells them to complete an anger management program. It is general information, not a substitute for your attorney, the court clerk or your officer. If any step conflicts with what they tell you, follow them.
Step 1: Find your case number and the court office handling it
Pull out the paperwork you received at sentencing or at your hearing. Look for the case number and the courthouse name. The Tulare County Superior Court lists its main Visalia location at the County Civic Center, 221 S. Mooney Blvd., and that location handles criminal, family law, domestic violence and restraining order matters, among others. The criminal division also has a contact office at the South County Justice Center in Porterville. Knowing which office holds your file saves you from being transferred between counters.
Step 2: Read the order line by line
Highlight anything that mentions anger management, counseling, classes or a program. Note:
- the number of sessions or weeks, if stated
- any format requirement, such as in person only
- the deadline for completion or for filing proof
- who you are supposed to report to
If the order is vague, that is not permission to pick anything. It means you need to ask.
Step 3: Ask the person responsible for your case
If you are on probation, your officer is usually the first call. If you are not, the criminal clerk's office in Room 124 at the Mooney Boulevard building, or the South County Justice Center if your case is there, can tell you how to get an answer. Ask directly whether there is a list of programs the court uses, or whether any program meeting the length and format will do. Only the court or your probation officer decides whether a program fits an order. Write down who you spoke to, the date, and what they said.
Step 4: For family or restraining order cases, visit the self-help center
If your requirement came out of a family law case or a restraining order rather than a criminal case, the court's Self-Help Resource Center in Room 203 of the County Civic Center may be able to explain the forms and filing steps. The court describes its staff as neutral employees who do not represent either party, and it states that criminal matters fall outside what the center can assist with.
Step 5: Gather two or three program options
Use the directory, a referral from your officer, or both. For each program, collect the session count, meeting times, location, language options, format and the wording of its completion letter. If you work seasonal agricultural hours or rotating shifts, ask how flexible the group schedule is during busy months.
Step 6: Get the program cleared before you pay
Take your notes back to your officer or the clerk and ask whether the program you prefer is acceptable. If they say yes, ask whether they need anything from the provider at enrollment, such as an intake form or a letter. If they say no, ask what would be acceptable and repeat Step 5.
Step 7: Plan transportation for every session
The court sits on Mooney Boulevard, but class locations vary. If you are coming from Porterville, Lindsay or Woodlake, map the route ahead of time and think through a backup if your ride falls through. When an online format has been cleared for your case, it can remove the commute entirely.
Step 8: Attend, and keep your own record
Keep a simple log with the date of each session you attend. Hold on to receipts and any attendance slips. If you miss a session, contact the provider the same day to schedule a make-up, and tell your officer if the miss could affect your deadline.
Step 9: File proof the way you were told
When you finish, get the completion letter and check that your name, case number and session count are correct. Deliver it exactly as the court or your officer instructed, and keep a copy. If you were told to file it with the clerk, ask for a stamped copy for your records.
Step 10: Confirm it was received
A week or two later, call to confirm the letter is in your file. A missing document discovered at a review hearing is much harder to fix than one caught early.