Who Is Required to Take an Adult Decision Making Course in Maryland?

In Maryland, judges and probation officers require an Adult Decision Making Course in Maryland for DUI cases, theft diversions, custody disputes, domestic matters, and probation violations tied to poor judgment.

Key Takeaways

• Maryland courts most often order this course in DUI, theft, custody, and domestic-related cases.
• The legal basis frequently connects to Probation Before Judgment under Maryland Criminal Procedure § 6-220.
• Completing this type of program shows a judge or probation officer that you are taking accountability seriously.
• It is not identical to anger management or substance abuse treatment, though the goals sometimes overlap.
• Skipping the requirement can lead to a probation violation, a custody delay, or a reopened case.

If a Maryland judge, magistrate, or probation officer told you to complete an educational program before your next hearing, you are probably wondering why, and whether you actually have to do it. Maryland courts use these programs to address the thinking patterns behind a charge or dispute, not just the paperwork around it. An Adult Decision-Making Course in Maryland is one of the most common tools courts use for this purpose, especially in cases involving impaired driving, theft, family conflict, or repeated poor choices. This blog breaks down exactly who is required to take one, why Maryland courts lean on this requirement, what the course actually teaches, and how you can confirm whether your specific case calls for it.

What Is an Adult Decision Making Course?

An adult decision-making course is a structured educational program that helps participants examine the thought process behind risky, impulsive, or harmful choices. Rather than punishing behavior, it teaches critical thinking, consequence awareness, and accountability. In Maryland, this type of program is frequently assigned by courts, probation officers, or attorneys as a condition tied to a case involving a legal or behavioral concern.

Who Is Required to Take an Adult Decision Making Course in Maryland?

Maryland courts do not apply a single blanket rule. Instead, the requirement usually surfaces through specific case types and sentencing tools already built into Maryland law. Below are the groups most commonly required to complete this program.

1. Individuals Granted Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in DUI/DWI Cases

Under Maryland Criminal Procedure § 6-220, a court granting Probation Before Judgment for an impaired driving offense can require participation in an alcohol or drug treatment or education program as a probation condition. Many judges pair this with, or substitute this for, an adult decision-making course in Maryland when the case involves poor judgment rather than dependency.

2. First-Time Theft or Shoplifting Offenders

Retail theft and minor larceny charges are frequently resolved through diversion or PBJ in Maryland district courts. Judges often require a decision-making course for court as a condition of keeping the case off a permanent record, since these charges usually stem from impulsive choices rather than habitual criminal behavior.

3. Parents Involved in Custody or Divorce Disputes

Maryland circuit courts evaluate custody using the “best interest of the child” standard, and judges sometimes order a parent to complete this type of class when co-parenting conflict, communication breakdowns, or repeated poor judgment affects the child’s stability. This is separate from the standard parenting education class many counties require in custody filings.

4. Individuals on Standard or Special Condition Probation

Maryland probation orders include standard conditions plus special conditions tailored to the offense. A judge can add an educational class, including a court-ordered decision-making class online, as a special condition for offenses like disorderly conduct, minor assault, or trespassing where judgment, not violence, was the core issue.

5. Participants in Maryland’s Problem-Solving Courts

Maryland’s network of adult drug courts, DUI treatment courts, and mental health courts served 3,671 participants statewide in Fiscal Year 2025, according to the Maryland Judiciary’s Office of Problem-Solving Courts. These programs frequently pair clinical treatment with cognitive and behavioral education, and similar coursework is often part of that curriculum.

6. Repeat or Technical Probation Violators

When someone violates a technical condition of probation without committing a new crime, Maryland Criminal Procedure § 6-223 allows courts to modify conditions instead of ordering incarceration. Judges frequently use this option to add an educational program as a corrective step before considering harsher sanctions.

7. Drivers Seeking License Reinstatement After Alcohol-Related Suspension

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration reported that law enforcement statewide made more than 11,750 DUI arrests in 2024. Drivers working through license reinstatement, an ignition interlock requirement, or a related court process are sometimes directed toward this kind of program alongside MVA-required alcohol education, particularly when the court record shows a pattern of impulsive risk-taking.

8. Defendants Referred by Defense Counsel Before Sentencing

Maryland defense attorneys often recommend that a client voluntarily complete a decision-making course for court before a sentencing or disposition hearing. Judges frequently view early, voluntary completion favorably, and it can support arguments for a reduced charge, a lighter sentence, or continued probation instead of confinement.

9. Young Adults in Peer Conflict or School-Adjacent Disputes

Young adults involved in fights, harassment complaints, or school-adjacent disputes that reach Maryland district court are sometimes ordered into an educational program focused on impulse control and consequence awareness rather than formal counseling, especially when the incident appears to be an isolated lapse in judgment.

Why Do Maryland Courts Recommend This Course?

• It supports Maryland’s rehabilitation-focused sentencing approach. Probation before judgment and diversion programs are built around the idea that education can prevent repeat offenses more effectively than punishment alone.
• It gives judges measurable proof of effort. A completion certificate is a concrete, verifiable action a defendant took, unlike a verbal promise to “do better.”
• It reduces strain on Maryland’s court system. Fewer repeat filings mean fewer hearings, which benefits an already busy docket in circuit and district courts statewide.
• It fits naturally into existing probation structures. Since Maryland probation orders already allow special conditions, adding an educational requirement is a low-cost, low-friction addition for the court.
• It addresses root causes in family and criminal matters alike. Whether the case is a DUI, a theft charge, or a custody dispute, the common thread is often a lapse in judgment, which is exactly what this kind of program is designed to correct.

What Topics Are Covered in an Adult Decision Making Course?

• Consequence awareness: Understanding how a single choice can affect legal standing, relationships, employment, and finances long after the original incident.
• Impulse control: Learning to pause before reacting, especially in high-stress or high-emotion situations that often lead to legal trouble.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving: Practicing structured methods for weighing options instead of defaulting to the fastest or easiest choice.
• Communication and conflict resolution: Building skills to de-escalate disagreements, which is especially relevant for custody and family-related referrals.
• Accountability and self-reflection: Encouraging honest evaluation of past choices without excessive blame-shifting or denial.
• Stress and emotional regulation: Addressing the internal triggers, such as anger or anxiety, that frequently precede poor decisions.

These skills extend well beyond meeting a court requirement. They help participants build healthier habits, strengthen relationships, and make more thoughtful choices in everyday life. Learn more about how these skills contribute to lasting change in our guide, How Does a Decision-Making Course in Maryland Support Long-Term Personal Growth? 

How to Know If You Need This Course?

• Your probation order or sentencing sheet lists an educational program by name.
• A judge verbally mentioned “decision making” or “cognitive education” during your hearing.
• Your attorney recommended it as a proactive step before sentencing.
• Your custody order or family court referral names a decision-making or judgment-related class.
• Your MVA notice or interlock paperwork references an education requirement.
• Your probation officer directed you to complete it as a special condition.

Case Study: Baltimore City District Court Re-Entry Project

Conclusion

Maryland courts require an adult decision-making course in Maryland whenever judgment, not just circumstance, played a role in a case. DUI matters, theft diversions, custody disputes, and probation conditions all fall under this umbrella. Completing the course promptly shows accountability and keeps your case moving. Visit E-Courses For Court today and enroll in a Maryland-approved decision-making course for court from home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this program the same as anger management?

No. Anger management focuses specifically on emotional regulation, while a decision-making course covers broader judgment, consequence awareness, and critical thinking skills relevant to many case types.

Can I complete a court-ordered decision-making class online in Maryland?

Yes, Maryland courts and probation departments generally accept completion certificates from approved online providers, provided the course meets the referring authority’s specific requirements.

What happens if I do not complete an ordered program?

Non-completion can result in a probation violation, a delayed custody resolution, or the court revisiting the original disposition, depending on how the requirement was ordered.