Is writing a letter to a judge a waste of time?

Question:

Is writing a letter to a judge a waste of time?

I was arrested a few month ago for misdemeanor battery – domestic violence. I accepted a plea agreement and plead no contest. My conditions were I had to attend a 26 week domestic violence diversion program and any other program recommended by the evaluator. I’ve been going to my DVDP for a month now. Now, all of a sudden, I am told I need to do a substance abuse evaluation because the incident I was arrested for involved alcohol. Now, they want me to do a 16 weeks of substance abuse classes with other stipulations. I honestly do not feel like I need the substance abuse classes. I don’t do drugs, and I have not drank since this all started. I have no alcohol or drug charges, in fact, I’ve never been in trouble with the law at all. Would writing the judge a letter asking to to be dismissed from doing the substance abuse classes be a waste of time? Would he just turn the letter over to the state? Any advice on what I can do?

Answer:

Depends on the specific judge. Some judges will entertain it, others will simply file the letter and write back to you to file a legally sufficient motion, courtesy copy the State, and set it for a hearing, or they will take no action. Your best bet is to contact your original attorney to handle the situation or hire an attorney to handle the situation.