Juvenile Court: An Introduction for Minors and Families

An Introduction to Juvenile Court

If you or someone you know is going through juvenile court in Utah, this resource will help you understand:

  • Why Juvenile Court exists: Learn about the purpose of the juvenile court.
  • What to expect: Learn about the court process from start to finish.
  • Who is involved: Know the people (judges, attorneys, probation officers, and other professionals) who play roles in the juvenile court process.
  • What happens next: Understand the different outcomes and what they mean for the minor involved.

 

Why Juvenile Court?

Unlike adult criminal courts, which are criminal in nature, juvenile courts are considered civil courts. A main reason for this difference is that juvenile court doesn’t exist to simply punish minors, but to protect the community while rehabilitating young people charged with breaking the law. There are some key differences between the juvenile court and adult courts. 

  • Many hearings are closed to the public in order to protect the minors' privacy. For example, special care is taken to shield minors from publicity.
  • Minors do not have the right to request jury trials. A jury is a group of people selected to hear evidence, who are responsible to reach a decision on a case.
  • Minors can only post bail to leave detention under limited circumstances.
  • Probation officers who work with minors are court employees under the judicial branch.

Read Utah Code §78A-6-102 to learn more about the purpose of the juvenile court.

 

 

What Exactly Happens in Juvenile Court?

The juvenile court oversees two main types of cases:

Delinquency Cases:
When Minors Get In Trouble

Dependency Cases:
When Parents Get in Trouble
  • Class A Misdemeanors and Felonies
  • Class B or Class C Misdemeanors and Infractions
  • Violations of Tobacco and Alcohol Laws
  • Other Infractions or Misdemeanors Identified by the General Order of the Board of Juvenile Court Judges
  • Violations of Curfew Laws
  • Class B Misdemeanor or Lesser Traffic Violation (For children under the age of 16)
  • Violation of Boating Laws
  • Violations of Fish & Game Laws
  • Child Welfare cases involve children who have been neglected, abused, or who are without proper care through no fault of their parent, guardian, or custodian

 

Read Utah Code §78A-6-103 about the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

 

Rights of Minors in Juvenile Court

If you are a minor and are facing a delinquency proceeding in the Juvenile Court, you have the following rights:

  1. The right to be represented by an attorney throughout the court proceedings.
  2. The right to appear in person for any court hearings.
  3. The right to receive a copy of the petition filed.
  4. The right to refuse to answer any questions or make any statements about the offense or condition for which you have been referred to the court.
  5. The right to a trial where witnesses will testify and evidence will be presented. You, or your attorney, will be entitled to question the witnesses.  You can present witnesses to testify on your own behalf, but you cannot be required to testify. 
  6. The right to an appeal - to ask a higher court to decide whether or not your judge was right if they found you guilty. 

Read Utah Code §80-6-603 to learn more about the rights of minors facing delinquency proceedings.

 

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