What is Youth Court?

Granite Communities Youth Court (GCYC) is a free, voluntary program that helps youth take accountability for and learn from their mistakes. It gives fair consequences for school and community violations by encouraging and supporting youth in making amends while helping them build important life skills.

How Does it Work?

GCYC holds informal, confidential hearings where youth and their parent/guardian can share their voice. A panel of trained youth volunteers from local schools hear and decide the cases. Once a disposition (decision) is made, the youth is paired with a mentor who helps them stay on track. By law, the youth must complete their disposition within a set time, or the case is sent back to the referring agency.

Who is it For?

GCYC is a resource available to youth living in and around Granite and Murray City School Districts. Cases heard range from school rule violations to status offenses and lower class misdemeanors. A youth’s eligibility to participate is always screened with Juvenile Probation.

Granite Communities Youth Court Locations and Schedule

• Monday, 6-8pm — Hunter High School, 4200 S 5600 W, West Valley City, 84120
• Tuesday, 6-8pm — Utah State University Salt Lake, 920 W Levoy Dr, Taylorsville, UT 84123
• Wednesday, 6-8pm — Utah State University Salt Lake, 920 W Levoy Dr, Taylorsville, UT 84123
• Thursday, 6-8pm — Olympus High School, 4055 S 2300 E, Holladay, UT 84124

Granite Communities Youth Court. A peer-based restorative diversion program.

Benefits of Participating

• Keep Minor Offenses Off the Youth’s Permanent Record
  • Dispositions must be completed in the specified time frame or the case will be sent back to the referring agency for further action.
• Accessible to Everyone
  • GCYC is a free program available to referred youth and their families.
  • We offer hearings at multiple locations on multiple nights of the week.
• Quick Resolution
  • Hearings are scheduled in a timely manner to capitalize on momentum and youth engagement.
• Parental Involvement
  • Parents are required to participate with their child.
• Builds Resilience
  • Participants learn how to make better choices and deal with life’s challenges.

Contact GCYC at graniteyouthcourt@usu.edu or by calling or texting 801.910.9527. Email Granite Youth Court.

Granite Communities Youth Court Process in accordance with Utah Code 80-6-902

1. An offense or rule violation occurs.
2. The case is referred to the Granite Communities Youth Court (the youth must admit to the offense to participate).
3. The referral is reviewed and approved through a screening process and a hearing location is assigned.
4. Parent or guardian provides consent for participation.
5. Intake procedures are completed.
6. The youth and their guardian attend Youth Court hearings, where a disposition contract is assigned along with a mentor.
7. The case is closed once the disposition is successfully completed.

What is a DISPOSITION?

Dispositions are the required activities that the participant must complete to fulfill the program. They are selected by the youth panel with input from the participant and tailored to their unique needs.

Dispositions may include:

• Skill building and learning opportunities to support better life choices
• Fostering social bonds via mentorship and community involvement
• Pathways to explore new interests and boost confidence
• Access to academic support through tutoring and after-school programs

The Granite Communities Youth Court is being implemented through a partnership between Granite School District, Murray School District, and Utah State University Extension with funding provided by the OJJDP.

Partner wordmarks: Granite School District. Murray City School District, We Are Murray! Utah State University. Extension Salt Lake County, Utah State University.