§ 78A-6-102 — Establishment of juvenile court -- Organization and status of court -- Purpose.

(1) There is established a juvenile court for the state.
(2) (2)(a) The juvenile court is a court of record.
(2)(b) The juvenile court shall have a seal.
(2)(c) The juvenile court's judges, clerks, and referees have the power to administer oaths and affirmations.
(2)(d) The juvenile court has the authority to issue search warrants, subpoenas, or investigative subpoenas under Section 80-2a-202, Part 4a, Adult Criminal Proceedings, Title 80, Chapter 3, Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings, Title 80, Chapter 4, Termination and Restoration of Parental Rights, and Title 80, Chapter 6, Juvenile Justice, for the same purposes and in the same manner as described in Title 77, Utah Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure, for the issuance of search warrants, subpoenas, or investigative subpoenas in other trial courts in the state.
(3) The juvenile court is of equal status with the district courts of the state.
(4) The juvenile court is established as a forum for the resolution of all matters properly brought before the juvenile court, consistent with applicable constitutional and statutory requirements of due process.
(5) The purpose of the court under this chapter is to:

(5)(a) promote public safety and individual accountability by the imposition of appropriate sanctions on persons who have committed acts in violation of law;
(5)(b) order appropriate measures to promote guidance and control, preferably in the minor's own home, as an aid in the prevention of future unlawful conduct and the development of responsible citizenship;
(5)(c) where appropriate, order rehabilitation, reeducation, and treatment for persons who have committed acts bringing them within the court's jurisdiction;
(5)(d) adjudicate matters that relate to minors who are beyond parental or adult control and to establish appropriate authority over these minors by means of placement and control orders;
(5)(e) adjudicate matters that relate to abused, neglected, and dependent children and to provide care and protection for minors by placement, protection, and custody orders;
(5)(f) remove a minor from parental custody only where the minor's safety or welfare, or the public safety, may not otherwise be adequately safeguarded; and
(5)(g) consistent with the ends of justice, act in the best interests of the minor in all cases and preserve and strengthen family ties.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 335, 2022 General Session