Connecticut Alternative Disposition/ Family Violence Education Program
Here is a brief outline of the Family Violence Education Program. Because it is brief, it does not a comprehensive overview of the program. As always, you should seek the advice of counsel when charged with a crime.
The purpose of the Family Violence Education Program (Conn.Gen.Stat. Sec. 46b-38c), is to provide treatment and to avoid a criminal conviction and sanctions for persons involved in a family violence offense. To be eligible, you must have been involved with: (1) a crime containing an act of "family violence" and (2) physical harm or injury or assault. People who have some sort of family relationship are spouses or former spouse, parents and their kids, those with a common child, persons in or having recently been in a dating relationship.
The Program is not available if you have used the program before, charged with an A, B or C felony, you were convicted of a family violence crime, you have used AR for a "Family Violence" crime.
If admitted to the program, you are required to attend 8 classes. On a finding of "satisfactorily compliance" court shall dismiss the charges. If you are unsuccessful in completing the program, the case will be brought to trial. As a precaution, restraining orders may be issued and firearms may be temporarily seized under some circumstances (see 46b-33b(a) and 46b-38c).
