Utah’s Juvenile Court Process

The process for Juvenile court is easier to understand than adult court.  Here is a simple timeline for what would occur for a typical juvenile not accused of a felony:

1. Juvenile allegedly commits crime.
2. Police officer submits police report or citation to juvenile court.
3. Juvenile and parents meet with an intake probation officer.
   1. If the juvenile admits to the charge, the probation officer can create a non-judicial contract with the juvenile.  This is an agreement that requires the juvenile to do certain things like pay a fine, pay the victim restitution, compensatory service, counseling or treatment, attendance at a substance abuse program, and restrictions on activities and associations.  By entering into this contract, the juvenile avoids going to a judge and having a court record that could hurt the child in the future.
   2. If the juvenile contests the charge, the case will be heard before a juvenile court judge.
4. The juvenile and parents meet with the juvenile prosecutor in a pre-trial conference.  The prosecutor can decide to go to trial, reduce or dismiss charges, or work out a plea in abeyance agreement.  A typical plea in abeyance agreement might require payment of a fine, required school attendance, taking random drug tests, or writing a letter of apology.  If the juvenile obeys, the charge would be dismissed.
5. If no agreement is made at pre-trial, a trial begins. In juvenile court, this is called an adjudicatory hearing.  There is no jury or spectators; only the judge who will hear the case.
6. If the judge finds the juvenile guilty, the judge will make a disposition (or sentence) that will likely include compensatory service, classes, or counseling.