Vermont Court & Family Education Guide
Information for anyone navigating a court order, custody case, or probation requirement in Vermont that involves anger management, parenting, co-parenting, or substance-abuse education.
What does Clearway offer?
People are sometimes ordered or referred to an educational program as part of a family-law, custody, probation, or other Vermont court-related matter. The type of program required can depend on the circumstances of the case and the exact wording of the court order.
Clearway Institute offers four self-paced online courses: anger management, parenting, co-parenting, and substance-abuse education. Not every course is appropriate for every court order, and completing an online course does not automatically mean a particular Vermont court, probation department, or agency will accept it — always read your order carefully and confirm the required program with the court, probation officer, attorney, or other referring agency when you're not sure.
Which type of class do you need?
Start with whichever matches your order or situation — each course page has the full curriculum before you enroll.
What if a Vermont court ordered it?
Vermont's abuse prevention statute lets a court order a program. Under 15 V.S.A. § 1103, a relief-from-abuse order can require the defendant to complete a domestic violence accountability program approved by the Council on Domestic Violence, and failing to complete it is not a crime but can lead to civil contempt. The sources reviewed did not identify a statewide statute requiring a specific anger-management class after an assault conviction, so such conditions are set case by case.
Relief under § 1103 is granted for a fixed period, and the plaintiff can move to extend it for as long as the court considers necessary. Either party may ask to modify an order by showing a substantial change in circumstances, and completing the accountability program counts as one. Orders differ, so confirm exactly what your own order requires before enrolling in any course.
What's the difference between classes?
Parenting vs. co-parenting. Parenting covers general child-development, discipline, and communication skills, and comes up in a wide range of family cases. Co-parenting is built specifically for separated or divorcing parents — coordinating two households, handling custody transitions, and keeping kids out of the middle — and is the more common requirement in a custody or divorce order.
Anger management vs. a certified intervention program. Many states, Vermont included, treat general educational anger-management coursework as legally distinct from a state-certified batterer intervention, family-violence intervention, or abuser-treatment program ordered specifically in a domestic-violence case — see “What if a Vermont court ordered it?” above for how that distinction works here. If your order names a specific certified program by name, an educational anger-management course usually isn't an automatic substitute — check with your court.
Where can I verify requirements?
The most reliable answer always comes from whoever issued your order — the court clerk, your probation or parole officer, your attorney, or the agency that referred you. Below are free, Vermont-specific places to start if you need legal help, counseling, or crisis support along the way.
Legal reference material
For anyone who wants to read the underlying statutes for themselves, here is the reference material this guide is based on — Vermont civil and family-law sections first, then criminal law.
Civil & family law
Relief from abuse orders15 V.S.A. § 1103
A family or household member can ask the court for protection from abuse by another. If the court finds abuse and a danger of further abuse, it can order no-abuse and no-contact terms, vacating the home, temporary parental rights and contact conditions, temporary support, and completion of an accountability program.
Emergency relief and appeals15 V.S.A. §§ 1104, 1109
Section 1104 separately provides for emergency relief. Under § 1109, an order issued under § 1103 is treated as a final order for appeal, and either party may appeal to the Supreme Court.
Criminal law
Simple assault13 V.S.A. § 1023
Attempting to cause or recklessly causing bodily injury, negligently causing it with a deadly weapon, or using physical menace to cause fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, or up to 60 days and $500 if it arises from a mutual fight or scuffle.
Domestic assault13 V.S.A. §§ 1041 to 1044
Vermont has a separate subchapter on domestic assaults, with sections for the definition, domestic assault, and first- and second-degree aggravated domestic assault. Only the section headings were reviewed, so penalties are not summarized here.
Stalking13 V.S.A. § 1062
Intentionally stalking another person is punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. A separate section covers aggravated stalking.
Violation of an abuse prevention order13 V.S.A. § 1030
Vermont makes it an offense to violate an abuse prevention order, an order against stalking or sexual assault, or a protective order concerning contact with a child. Penalty terms were not reviewed.