Anger Management in New York: ACDs, Conditional Discharges and Probation
In New York, a class often comes with a deal: an ACD that ends in dismissal, a conditional discharge, or probation run by one of 58 local departments. The judge decides what kind of program fits, after hearing from local probation. Here is what that means for picking a class.
From $29 · Refund if your court or officer doesn't accept your certificate.
- Court-accepted in most jurisdictions
- Educational course, not therapy
- Acceptance is decided by your court or officer — check with them first.
ACD, conditional discharge, probation: where the class comes from
- ACD (adjournment in contemplation of dismissal). Your case is put on hold. If it isn't restored within six months (a year for many family-offense cases), it is dismissed and sealed. The terms of the ACD are negotiated between your lawyer and the DA, and an anger class is a common one. New York's ACD law limits what a judge can attach by itself, so the class usually appears because both sides agreed to it.
- Conditional discharge. You are not supervised by probation, but you must meet conditions, typically for one year on a misdemeanor or three years on a felony. Penal Law 65.10 allows an "intervention program" that the court signs off on after it consults local probation, plus any other condition tied to rehabilitation.
- Probation. The same Penal Law section governs probation conditions. Your probation officer checks your proof.
- Family Court. In custody cases, appellate courts have upheld an order to take an anger class as part of a custody decision, but they have said a parent's time with a child can't be made conditional on finishing it.
No state list, and 58 probation departments
New York State doesn't keep a list of anger management providers. Probation is run locally: 57 county departments plus the NYC Department of Probation, all overseen by the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services. Because Penal Law 65.10 talks about a program the court approves after consulting local probation, the practical answer depends on your county and your judge.
- Some counties hand out local provider sheets, often listing 12-week programs.
- New York City's Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice publishes a guide to alternative-to-incarceration programs that includes self-regulation and anger classes.
Good Standing Courses is not on any New York county or city list. Before you buy, ask your lawyer or officer whether the court will take an online certificate for your ACD or condition.
Family offenses: ACD education programs and batterer programs
When the case is between spouses, partners, parents and children or household members, New York courts reach for different tools:
- An ACD in a family-offense case can require an educational program on spousal abuse and family violence.
- Family Court can order a batterer's education program in an order of protection or as part of probation, at your cost if you can pay.
- In New York City, court-ordered abusive partner intervention programs run about 24 to 26 weeks; in some counties probation runs 52-week groups.
These are not anger management. Good Standing Courses is not a Batterer Intervention Program and doesn't offer family-violence education. If your order uses those words, our class is the wrong one.
How long New York anger classes tend to run
New York courts rarely publish hour counts for anger management. Local provider sheets most often show 12 weekly sessions. When your ACD or condition names hours instead, buy that exact number. If it names weeks, ask your lawyer to confirm with the DA or officer how many hours they will accept. ACD terms often have a tight clock, so ask early.
Choose your hours
| Hours | What it covers | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | Warning signs, cooling down, your anger control plan | $29 | 4-hour class · Enroll |
| 8 hours | + hot thoughts, assertive talk, conflict, stress and alcohol | $49 | 8-hour class · Enroll |
| 12 hours | + anger at home, at work, on the road and online | $65 | 12-hour class · Enroll |
| 16 hours | + resentment, shame and guilt, mindfulness, staying on track | $79 | 16-hour class · Enroll |
Paperwork says "impulse control" or "decision making"? That's our Impulse Control & Decision Making class.
Questions to bring to your lawyer (ACD) or officer (probation)
- "Did the DA agree to an online class as part of my ACD, or do they expect a specific program?"
- "How many hours, or how many weeks? If weeks, how many hours count?"
- "Is this anger management, or a family-violence education or batterer program?"
- "When does my ACD or conditional discharge period end, and when is proof due?"
- "Who gets the certificate: the DA, the court part, my probation officer, or you?"
Your officer can read our page for probation officers and check any certificate at /verify.
If your court says no
If your court, judge or probation officer doesn't accept your certificate, we refund 100% of the course fee. Send the written rejection within 60 days of finishing; the class you bought must match the type and hours in your order. Read the refund terms.
We never ask for your case number, court or date of birth. If you need them on the certificate, you type them into your own copy of the PDF.
Guides for other states
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an online anger management class for an ACD in New York?
Often, yes, if the DA and the court agreed to "anger management" without naming a program. Ours is court-accepted in most jurisdictions, but the parties to your ACD decide. Have your lawyer confirm before you enroll.
Is there a court approved anger management list in New York?
There is no state list for anger management in New York. Probation is run by 58 local departments, and some counties hand out local sheets. Ours is court-accepted in most jurisdictions, and if your court or officer turns down the certificate you get a full refund.
My order says "batterer's education program." Is this it?
No. That is a family-offense program, often 24 weeks or longer. Our class is not a Batterer Intervention Program and doesn't replace one.
What happens if I don't finish the class during my ACD?
The DA can ask to restore the case to the calendar before the ACD period ends. Start early: your enrollment letter arrives the minute you pay, and you can download a progress report any time.
Family Court told me to take an anger class. Does it have to be in person?
Read the order. Many family court orders only name the class and a length. Ask your lawyer or the court attorney whether an online certificate is fine.
I'm in New York City. Who checks the certificate?
Whoever your order points to: the NYC Department of Probation if you're supervised, otherwise usually the DA's office through your lawyer. They can check it at our verify page with the certificate ID and your last name.