Can You Take Court Ordered Classes Online?

Many court systems have diversion programs aimed at reducing incarceration for minor criminal offenses. Court ordered classes are often a part of these programs. These courses may tie into a jail term or take the place of a sentence, in either case, a defendant must adhere to the mandated coursework or stand in contempt of the order, which may cause increased fines or prison sentencing. In certain situations, you can take online classes to make adherence to the judgment easier, but that depends on the court and the final verdict.

Online Versus In-Person Courses

The format required for the court ordered classes depends on several key factors: jurisdiction, approval and type of crime. While many municipalities will accept an online certificate of completion, others will not, meaning you may need to verify the legitimacy of a program with the court before choosing an online option. In addition, you may need special approval from the court to take an online course. Some jurisdictions only require that you complete the coursework, regardless of the format, while others prefer in-person classes, but for individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders or other conditions that make in-person attendance difficult, a judge may accept another format. However, depending on the severity of the crime and the number of offenses, a judge may make live classes mandatory. For example, an assault resulting in serious injury may require the completion of in-person anger management while an attack that causes no serious harm may allow for online completion of the coursework.

Approved Courses

Once ordered to take a class, you can go to work finding a compatible and approved program. The best way to do this is to seek advice from your probation officer or a court clerk. Often, a court will have a list of approved providers, but if you have already found a provider, then check the acceptability of the program by contacting the courthouse.

The option of coursework over jail is terrific, and the availability of online court ordered classes is convenient. However, you still must check to see if such programs are acceptable for your particular situation.