Posts Tagged ‘court’

Chemical Bomb Explodes at a Utah High School

Apr
12
Simms, on the topic of  School
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Instructions for just about everything on the internet abound, including how-to’s for creating your own chemical bomb. However, just because you can find out how to make a chemical bomb easily doesn’t mean you should follow through with the experiment, as two Bountiful High School students recently discovered.

Photo: maticulous

Chemical Bomb Explosion Leads to Arrests

The high school was placed on lockdown status yesterday after a homemade chemical bomb exploded in one of the school’s foyers. No one was hurt, but the two students were arrested after police investigated the incident. The two apparently left some other chemical bombs in other locales as well, including one that exploded in a church parking lot. Police indicated that the two students probably weren’t planning to hurt anyone, but law enforcement does take the behavior seriously.

One of the two involved in exploding the chemical bombs is 18 years old and was taken to the local county jail, since he is legally an adult. The other student is just 16, so she went straight to detention.

Chemical Bomb Presents Danger to Anyone in the Vicinity

Using an incendiary device is a second-degree felony in Utah. Each chemical bomb in this case was full of hydrochloric acid, which presents a danger to anyone caught in the explosive fall-out.

Since most teenage pranks are harmless, these kids may not have fully realized the danger that their chemical bombs presented to others or even themselves. Hopefully their parents will understand the importance of hiring an attorney to represent each youth in order to make sure the kids are treated fairly. We don’t condone violence, but we do believe every person—juveniles and adults alike—deserve equal representation when it comes to criminal matters.

If you need to look for a Utah juvenile defense attorney for your child you should consider the attorney’s previous experience and hire someone who has a reputation for serving his or her clients effectively. Criminal charges of any nature are best handled by an attorney who knows how to get the job done right.

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Purpose of Utah Juvenile Courts

Dec
02
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Court
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Utah juvenile courts are more about rehabilitation than punishment. They exist to protect the community and try to help youth find their way out of trouble. Juvenile courts are civil courts, unlike adult courts which are criminal in nature.

What Makes Utah Juvenile Courts Different?

Photo: Sherman Geronimo-Tan

• Some hearing are closed to the public to protect the youth’s identity
• Efforts are made to minimize or eliminate publicity of a youth’s case
• Juveniles may not request a jury trial
• If a juvenile is put in detention, he cannot post bail and leave the facility
• The people who handle youth are court employees, not law enforcement

Cases Handled by Utah Juvenile Courts:

• Delinquency—When kids get in trouble
• Dependency—When parents get in trouble

Delinquency cases can involve anything from an infraction to a felony. Some specific examples include:

• Tobacco and alcohol violations
• Curfew problems
• Traffic violations by kids under 16
• Boating laws violations
• Violating fish and game laws

Parents run into trouble when dependent children are neglected or abused.

Juvenile Rights in Utah Juvenile Courts

Kids do have rights in Utah juvenile courts! They have the right to:

• a lawyer
• know what they are accused of
• not incriminate themselves
• a speedy trial
• time to prepare for a defense against any charges
• tell their side of the story
• have witnesses testify
• ask questions of people who are accusing them
• appeal to a higher court

When kids become involved in legal woes, it’s a good idea to hire a Utah juvenile defense attorney to represent them. As noted, juveniles have rights and an attorney will make sure that those rights aren’t trampled on.

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Utah Juvenile Courts

Jul
01
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Court
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The Utah Juvenile Courts have jurisdiction over youths 18 years old and younger who violate any federal, state or municipal law. Juvenile courts handle cases involving children who have been abused, neglected or are dependent. The court also has jurisdiction over truants, runaways and other youth who have been served by social service agencies, if those attempts to assist have been unsuccessful.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

Juvenile courts have 28 judges and 1 commissioner. Of those individuals, 8 judges and 1 commissioner serve the 3rd district, which is comprised of the Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties. The commissioner is trained as an attorney and hears certain cases. The commissioner gives his findings and recommendations, in writing, to a judge. A rehearing may occur in front of a judge if a party disagrees with the commissioner.

The juvenile court has jurisdiction over the following traffic offenses involving minors: 

  • Automobile homicide;
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
  • Reckless driving;
  • Joy riding; and
  • Fleeing a police officer. 

The juvenile courts have their own probation department, unlike other courts in the state. Probation officers prepare reports, supervise youth, conduct evaluations and submit reports on each juvenile’s progress.

Utah juvenile courts have an agreement that allows them to accept juveniles who move into Utah who are currently being served by the court system. They can also request that another state assist them when a juvenile moves to that state.

Any appeal from the juvenile court is heard in the state Court of Appeals. 

If you have further questions about the juvenile court system and a case your child is involved in, you should contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney right away.

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Who’s Who in Juvenile Court

Jun
03
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Court
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Navigating the juvenile court system can be difficult, to say the least. Being able to identify the different people who are involved in court can be helpful to anyone going through the juvenile justice system process.

Photo: Carl Wycoff

First, there is the judge. He or she will listen to the case and make decisions on questions of law.

Next are the attorneys. The state’s attorney is the prosecutor, the one who represents the interests of the state of Utah. The defense attorney is the person who represents the juvenile. This individual has the responsibility of helping explain the juvenile’s case to the court. The defense attorney is charged with looking out for the interests of the juvenile.

There is also a probation officer. This person is in charge of making sure that the juvenile gets the treatment he needs, as well as making sure the juvenile fulfills his community service hours and any other court orders.

The clerk(s) will sit in court and keep a record of everything that is said.

The bailiff is present to keep order in the court. Bailiffs are usually deputy county sheriffs. If anyone is rude or disruptive in court, the bailiff will take steps to stop that person.

In cases where a child has been abused or neglected, sometimes a guardian ad litem is appointed. This person’s responsibility is to the child. They make requests that are in the best interests of the child.

These people are all involved in helping assure that juveniles are treated fairly and in accordance with state law. If you have more questions about a situation you or your child are caught up in that concerns the juvenile justice system, you may wish to hire a Utah juvenile attorney. He will be able to answer your questions and advise you on the best course of action.

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