NCJ Number
58174
Date Published
1978
Length
37 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE UTAH JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM IS PROVIDED IN THIS 1978 ANNUAL REPORT, FOCUSING ON THE STRUCTURE, OPERATIONS, CASELOAD, AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFFECTING THE SYSTEM.
Abstract
BEGINNING WITH THE CREATION OF A SPECIALIZED JUVENILE COURT IN 1907, UTAH HAS RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO RESPOND TO THE UNIQUE PROBLEMS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE BY MODIFYING AND EXPANDING THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM IN RESPONSE TO PROGRESS IN THE LEGAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. STATE PHILOSOPHY REGARDING THE SYSTEM IS FULLY EXPRESSED IN THE 1965 JUVENILE COURT ACT. CURRENTLY, THE SYSTEM IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE JUDICIAL DISTRICTS; EACH DISTRICT CONTAINS A JUDGE, DIRECTOR OF COURT SERVICES, AND SUPPORTING STAFF. THE FUNCTIONS OF THE JUDGES, REFEREES (WHO ASSIST IN THE LEGAL PROCESSING OF CASES), ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, PROBATION STAFF, AND CLERICAL STAFF ARE NOTED. IN ADDITION, THE IMPACT OF THE INTERSTATE COMPACT ON JUVENILES, VOLUNTEER AND STUDENT PROGRAMS, AND STATE AND LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE SYSTEM ARE EXAMINED. THE INCREASED STAFFING LEVELS OF THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM ARE EXAMINED, AND THE FINDINGS OF THREE COMMITTEES WHICH STUDIED THE OVERALL JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM, AND JUVENILE COURT WORKLOADS, RESPECTIVELY, ARE HIGHLIGHTED. STATISTICAL DATA ARE PRESENTED ON THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS, OFFENSES, AND DISPOSITIONS REPORTED BY THE SYSTEM. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ON SUCH FACTORS AS THE RACE AND AGE OF CHILDREN REFERRED FOR DELINQUENCY, INCLUDING FAMILY INCOME AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS OF SUCH CHILDREN, ARE ALSO PROVIDED. MAPS, STATISTICAL TABLES, GRAPHS, AND LISTS OF JUVENILE COURT PERSONNEL ARE INCLUDED. (KCP)