Opinion ID: 885102
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: overview of the youth court act

Text: ¶ 9 We begin our analysis with a brief historical overview of the relevant provisions of the Youth Court Act. Prior to 1997, a youth could not be criminally prosecuted as an adult unless the youth court transferred jurisdiction over the case to the district court. Section 41-5-206(5), MCA(1995). The Act provided that if the youth was charged with unlawful conduct that constituted a specific crime listed in the statute when the youth had attained a specified age, the State could file a petition in the youth court requesting the court to transfer the case to district court. Section 41-5-206, MCA (1995). Once the State filed the petition, the youth court had the discretion to decide whether to transfer the case. In exercising its discretion, the Act required the youth court to hold an evidentiary hearing to determine whether there was probable cause to believe that: (i) the youth committed the delinquent act alleged; (ii) the seriousness of the offense and the protection of the community require treatment of the youth beyond that afforded by juvenile facilities; and (iii) the alleged offense was committed in an aggressive, violent, or premeditated manner. Section 41-5-206(1)(d), MCA (1995). In addition to the foregoing, the youth court was entitled to consider the following factors when making its decision: (a) the sophistication and maturity of the youth, determined by consideration of the youth's home, environmental situation, and emotional attitude and pattern of living; (b) the record and previous history of the youth, including previous contacts with the youth court, law enforcement agencies, youth courts in other jurisdictions, prior periods of probation, and prior commitments to juvenile institutions. Section 41-5-206(2), MCA (1995). If, however, the youth was 16 years of age or older, and if the youth was charged with conduct that would constitute deliberate homicide, mitigated deliberate homicide or attempt of either of those crimes, the Act provided that the youth court shall grant the State's motion to transfer the case. Section 41-5-206(3), MCA (1995). ¶ 10 In 1997, the Montana Legislature amended the Youth Court Act. Instead of allowing the youth court the discretion to transfer jurisdiction over certain cases to the district court, it now provides that the prosecution may file a motion directly in district court requesting leave to file an information in the district court to criminally prosecute the youth as an adult. Section 41-5-206, MCA (1997). ¶ 11 The prosecution's discretion to file such a motion, however, is not without limits. It can file such a motion only if the youth has attained a certain age and only if the youth is alleged to have committed one of the offenses listed within the statute at that age. Section 41-5-206(1), MCA(1997). If the youth is seventeen years of age and is alleged to have committed one of the offenses listed, the prosecution shall file such a motion. Section 41-5-206(2), MCA (1997). In this case, the provisions the prosecution relied on when it requested leave to file an information against Butler are as follows: Filing in district court prior to formal proceedings in youth court. (1) The county attorney may, in the county attorney's discretion, file with the district court a motion for leave to file an information in the district court if: (a) the youth charged was 12 years of age or older at the time of the conduct alleged to be unlawful and the unlawful act would if it had been committed by an adult constitute: . . . . (iv) the attempt, as defined in 45-4-103, of. . . deliberate . . . homicide; or (b) the youth charged was 16 years of age or older at the time of the conduct alleged to be unlawful and the unlawful act is one or more of the following: . . . . (iv) robbery as defined in 45-5-401[.] Section 41-5-206(1)(a)(iv) and (b)(iv), MCA (1997). ¶ 12 The Act further provides: The district court shall grant leave to file the information if the court finds that there is probable cause to believe that the youth has committed the alleged offense and that, considering the seriousness of the offense and in the interests of community protection, the case should be filed in the district court. Section 41-5-206(3), MCA (1997). ¶ 13 Although the prior version of the Act required the youth court to hold a hearing prior to transferring the case to District Court (unless the youth was 16 years old and was charged with deliberate homicide, mitigated homicide or attempt), the amended version of the Act is silent as to whether the district court must hold a hearing prior to rendering its decision. However, the District Court in this case interpreted the Act to mean that such a hearing is not required. ¶ 14 Finally, the Act provides that the youth court has exclusive original jurisdiction in all proceedings under the Montana Youth Court Act, except for cases filed in district court under § 41-5-206, MCA, and other situations not relevant here where the youth court shares concurrent jurisdiction with other courts. Section 41-5-203, MCA (1997). Once the prosecution actually files an information in district court, jurisdiction of the youth court over the youth with respect to the acts alleged in the information is terminated. Section 41-5-206(4), MCA (1997).