Virginia Court & Family Education Guide
Information for anyone navigating a court order, custody case, or probation requirement in Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia court ordered it?
The Virginia statutes reviewed for this page do not mandate a certified anger-management class after an assault conviction. The closest is Va. Code § 18.2-57.3, which lets a court defer a first-time assault or domestic assault case and make completion of the treatment, education programs, or services indicated by an assessment a condition of probation, with costs scaled to ability to pay. Dismissal after completion is without an adjudication of guilt.
On the civil side, Va. Code § 16.1-279.1 lets a court issue a protective order in a family abuse case and require the respondent to participate in treatment, counseling, or other programs the court deems appropriate. In juvenile and domestic relations court, § 16.1-278.15 also requires parties in contested custody or visitation cases to show attendance at an approved parenting seminar. 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, Virginia 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 Virginia 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, Virginia-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 — Virginia civil and family-law sections first, then criminal law.
Civil & family law
Child custody best-interest factorsVa. Code § 20-124.3
Virginia courts weigh a list of best-interest factors in custody and visitation cases, including each parent's role in raising the child. One factor is any history of family abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse, or an act of violence, force, or threat that occurred no earlier than 10 years before the petition was filed.
Protective orders in family abuse casesVa. Code § 16.1-279.1
After a hearing, the court can restrict contact, award possession of the home, and order treatment, counseling, or other programs. An order may run up to two years, or up to four years if the respondent was subject to a prior order within the past 10 years, and it can be extended.
Parenting seminars and evaluationsVa. Code § 16.1-278.15
In contested custody, visitation, or support cases in juvenile and domestic relations court, parties must show they attended an approved parenting seminar of at least four hours within the prior 12 months or will attend within 45 days. Courts may also order custody or psychological evaluations.
Criminal law
Assault and batteryVa. Code § 18.2-57
Simple assault or assault and battery is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The section also sets enhanced penalties for assaults on certain protected categories, such as law-enforcement officers and school employees.
Assault and battery against a family or household memberVa. Code § 18.2-57.2
Assault and battery against a family or household member is a Class 1 misdemeanor. It becomes a Class 6 felony when the charging document alleges two prior qualifying convictions within 20 years, each on a different date. A magistrate must issue an emergency protective order when a warrant is issued.
StalkingVa. Code § 18.2-60.3
Repeated conduct directed at a specific person that places that person, or a family or household member, in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second offense within five years of a prior conviction is a Class 6 felony.
Violation of a protective orderVa. Code § 18.2-60.4
Violating a covered protective order is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Repeat violations involving an act or threat of violence carry mandatory minimum confinement, and assault causing bodily injury to a protected party or armed violations can be Class 6 felonies.