According to Utah Code § 78A-6-102, juvenile courts were established in Utah for the purpose of resolving all juvenile matters brought before the court, including juvenile offenses. In the case of juvenile offenders, the court has jurisdiction to order rehabilitation, reeducation, and treatment for the offender.
A juvenile offender is Utah is considered a person under the age of 21 who has violated and federal, state or local law before their 18th birthday. A status offender is someone who commits illegal acts because of their age, such as truancy from school, violating curfew, running away from home, and using alcohol and tobacco. A delinquent youth is someone who has committed misdemeanor or felony offenses.
The Act also covers juvenile emancipation in Utah, cases where adults have neglected or abused their dependent children, and protection orders pertaining to juveniles.