Arraignment & Trial: What to Expect

Arraignment/Pre-Trial

The arraignment or the pre-trial conference are hearings before the judge that will allow the juvenile to either admit or deny the allegations listed in the petition.

What Happens Next?

It depends on whether the juvenile...

Read Utah Rule of Juvenile Procedure 25 about pleas.

What is a Plea Bargain?

Sometimes the juvenile can work a deal with the district attorney (D.A.). Let's say the juvenile broke two different windows, and ended up with two charges for "criminal mischief." If the juvenile is lucky, the D.A. may let the juvenile admit to one, and the other one will be dismissed. This way the juvenile ends up with only one charge on their record, and less hours of community service, or other punishments. Sometimes the juvenile can do what's known as a "plea in abeyance." That means if the juvenile admits to the offense, and does whatever the judge asks the juvenile to do (gets good grades, goes to a class about the juvenile court, and does community service hours, etc.), the juvenile can even get their charge dismissed after a certain amount of time.

If the juvenile enters into a plea bargain, the juvenile will still have to go see the judge, the judge has to agree to the terms of the plea bargain, and he or she may or may not give the juvenile additional requirements. The juvenile's judge or lawyer will ask the juvenile certain questions to make sure the juvenile understand the terms of the agreement, and their rights. This will be recorded in court, so the juvenile has to speak clearly, and answer out loud.

Trial

The trial is the stage where the D.A. and the defense lawyer present their evidence and witnesses in order to determine whether the juvenile has committed the offenses with which juvenile has been charged with. During the trial, the juvenile will be presented with the opportunity to testify on his/her own behalf, present witnesses and to question other witnesses. The juvenile has the right to an attorney. If the juvenile's family cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed by the state. The juvenile's attorney has the potential to play an important role within juvenile court proceedings by acting as an advocate for the juvenile's interests as well as offering advice concerning the legal options.

What to expect: Proceedings within juvenile court may be less adversarial and unless the juvenile has been charged with a felony, only those with a direct interest in the case are allowed to attend.

What Happens After the Trial?

It depends on whether the...