Opinion ID: 2364229
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Automatic Waiver Statute Creates a Classification

Text: ¶ 22 The automatic waiver statute creates a classification premised on the alleged offender's age together with the offense(s) charged. The plain language of the statute specifies that minors who are sixteen years of age or older and are charged with murder or aggravated murder will automatically be under the district court's exclusive original jurisdiction. [10] Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-701(1)(a). The juvenile statutory scheme provides that children under sixteen who commit murder or aggravated murder will at least begin under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, as will sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds who commit lesser offenses. [11] See id. § 78A-6-101 to -1210.