After Court: Dispositional Hearing
The main goal of a dispositional hearing is to protect the community while also serving the best interests of the minor. Thus, juvenile court emphasizes the balanced and restorative justice approach as opposed to simply punishment.
Restorative justice focuses on three equal parts: the victim, the offender (the minor), and the community. Instead of just punishing the offender, it tries to repair the harm caused by the crime by involving all three groups in the healing process. This might include programs like mediation, where victims and community members help with the minor's rehabilitation.
When a charge against a minor is found true, the probation department gives the judge a report with information about a minor’s life. The report also contains specific recommendations for interventions designed to help the minor successfully complete probation. The judge then decides what happens next based on this information. Orders by a judge may include:
- fines
- restitution to pay back the victim for any financial loss resulting from the crime
- community service
- participating in a special program
- probation (Probation may involve restrictions concerning school, curfew, the possession of drugs, and/or weapons, as well as community supervision)
- revocation or suspension of the minor's driver's license.
- detention for certain offenses.
Read Utah Rule of Juvenile Procedure 44 about the findings and conclusions of the court.