Court-ordered classes by state · California

Court-Ordered Classes in California

Courts in California order classes across 4 categories we've published guides for. Below is every California requirement we've verified against official sources, each linking to the full guide with the program name, length, format rules and the official provider list.

The California guides on this site

Court-ordered anger management in California

Program: Court-ordered anger management (no single statewide program name; judges commonly order a "court-approved anger management class"). Note: domestic-violence cases require a separate, longer state-regulated Batterer Intervention Program (BIP), not a generic anger-management class.

Length: Generic court-ordered anger management length is set by the judge's order and commonly runs 8, 12, 26, or 52 sessions (often weekly one- to two-hour classes). Domestic-violence cases are different: Penal Code 1203.097 mandates a batterer's program of not less than one year (52 weekly sessions) with a minimum of two hours of class time per week, completed within 18 months. · Format: Varies by court

Read the full California guide →

Court-ordered domestic violence / batterer intervention classes in California

Program: 52-week Batterer Intervention Program (BIP) under Penal Code § 1203.097

Length: A minimum of 52 weekly sessions (one full year), with at least two hours of class time per week, completed within 18 months (Penal Code § 1203.097). · Format: In-person only

Read the full California guide →

California Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) Program

Format: Mostly in-person

More detail:

Wet reckless program (SB 1176) — About 12 hours — the shortest level, tied to a "wet reckless" conviction.
AB 541 first-offender program — About 3 months / 30 hours — the standard first-DUI program.
AB 1353 (and AB 762) programs — The 9-month / 60-hour high-BAC program, plus the 6-month AB 762 version.
SB 38 multiple-offender program — About 18 months — for a second or later DUI within 10 years.

Read the full California guide →

Court-ordered parenting classes in California

Program: Family Court Services parent orientation / court-ordered parent education (no single statewide named course)

Length: Court orientation is typically about 1 hour and free; county-ordered parent-education classes are commonly around 4 hours or a multi-session workshop and may charge a fee — varies by county. · Format: Varies by court

Read the full California guide →

Ordered to something that isn't listed here? This page lists only the California requirements we have verified against official state, court or agency sources — it is not a complete list of everything a California judge can order. If your order names a class we haven't covered, the court or agency named on your paperwork is the authority on it.

Independent directory: NextStep Counseling is an independent information site. We are not a court, a government agency, or a class provider, and no court endorses this site or any provider listed on it. Requirements change and vary by case, county and judge — always confirm the exact class, format, hours and an accepted provider with the court that ordered you before you enroll or pay.

Get help confirming an accepted class Court-ordered classes in other states