The requirements of a court ordered domestic violence batterer's class

In California, when a crime is committed against one's intimate partner, it will be treated as a crime of domestic violence. An intimate partner is one's boyfriend or girlfriend, one's former boyfriend or girlfriend, one's spouse or former spouse, the person with whom one has children, the person with whom one is living or the person with whom one formerly lived. Intimate partners are both heterosexual and homosexual partnerships. It therefore follows that if one pursues or harasses and threatens his or her intimate partner, intending to place that partner in fear, he or she will be charged with stalking as a domestic abuse crime in California.

When an individual is placed on probation for committing any intimate partner abuse crime in California, he or she will be ordered to complete certain requirements while on probation. One of those requirements is participation in a batterer's class. As part of probation, the defendant will be required to attend at least 52 weekly two-hour classes and, in the end, will be evaluated based on his or her progress.

The goal of a batterer's class for someone who has been convicted of D.V. stalking is to get that individual to stop his or her behavior and to hopefully prevent further occurrences of stalking or other types of abusive conduct. The classes are virtually the same throughout the state and must follow certain guidelines regarding course conduct and the manner in which the classes are taught. Examples include, but are not limited to, lectures, classes, group discussions and counseling. They are conducted in all male or all female settings and are appropriate for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, ethnic backgrounds or financial status.

Batterer's classes are mandated by the state to ensure that a defendant receives the same education, regardless of where he or she resides. Each program must address strategies that hold the defendant accountable for his or her abusive role in his or her relationship, must maintain an alcohol and drug free environment and must examine gender roles, socialization, the nature of violence, the dynamics of power and control and the effects of abuse on children and others. Class facilitators are supposed to have specific knowledge about intimate partner abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, the dynamics of violence and abuse, the law and the legal system.

Batterer's classes, if successful, will ultimately teach the defendant that stalking his or her intimate partner can be devastating to that partner, as stalking victims live in constant fear and can feel very isolated. The participant will learn that it is unhealthy to try to control a relationship through intimidation or threats and will learn positive ways to control his or her emotions and ways to help empower his or her partner to restore balance within the relationship.

Progress reports will be provided to the court on a regular basis and at the end of the program. If the class facilitator feels, at any time, that the defendant's participation is unsatisfactory, he or she can suggest removing the defendant from the program. If that happens, the defendant will likely be ordered by the court to participate in a different type of more intensive counseling and/or will be sentenced to more jail or prison time. A good criminal defense lawyer will help the defendant comply with all of his or her requirements to avoid further punishment.

The compassionate attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm do their best to help their clients through difficult times. They understand that meeting the class requirement may be the most difficult part of probation for some of their clients to fulfill and will try to make it as easy and convenient for them as possible. To speak to an attorney about a stalking charge, a batterer's class or about any other legal matter, click here for a free consultation.