Rules of Juvenile Procedure – Effective May 1, 2026
URJP003. Style of pleadings and forms. Amend. The adopted change to the caption described in subparagraph (b)(1) removes the reference to the age of a minor. Utah law contains multiple definitions of ‘minor,’ with the age threshold varying depending on the statutory context. The approved change in subparagraph (b)(6) adds a generic caption for court-approved forms that the Self-Help Center can provide to self-represented parties for use across multiple case types, expanding access to justice.
URJP020A. Discovery in non-delinquency proceedings. Amend. The approved changes to Rule 20A clarify that the rule applies to discovery in non-delinquency and non-criminal proceedings in juvenile court. The changes also refine language and update cross-references throughout the rule. Specifically, paragraph (b) is revised to more closely align with Rule 26 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. A reference to Rule 19 of the Utah Rules of Juvenile Procedure was added to the introductory language in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (g). Paragraph (g) now incorporates the caution language from Rule 36 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, with a shortened time frame. Finally, new paragraphs (n) and (o) relocate provisions currently found in Rule 20 of the Utah Rules of Juvenile Procedure.
URJP022. Initial appearance and preliminary hearing in cases under Utah Code sections 80-6-503 and 80-6-504. Amend. The adopted changes to Rule 22 amend the title and the preliminary hearing timeframes found in paragraph (g). For youth in custody, a hearing will be held no later than 14 days after the initial appearance. For youth not in custody, the preliminary hearing will be held no later than 28 days after the initial appearance. These timeframes are consistent with those in Rule 7 of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure.