Opinion ID: 2364229
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Classification in the Automatic Waiver Statute Is Reasonable

Text: ¶ 28 Broad deference is given to the legislature when assessing `the reasonableness of its classifications and their relationship to legitimate legislative purposes.' ABCO Enters. v. Utah State Tax Comm'n, 2009 UT 36, ¶ 17, 211 P.3d 382 (quoting Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Utah v. State, 779 P.2d 634, 637 (Utah 1989)). A line drawn based on age will necessarily appear somewhat arbitrary, because people close to the boundary on either side may be very similarly situated. But this court and the United States Supreme Court [have] held that age is a permissible method of classifying individuals where a rational basis exists. Merrill, 2009 UT 26, ¶ 12, 223 P.3d 1089. Thus age is not an unreasonable classification per se. Making a classification according to severity of offense is also not unreasonable per se. See Drej, 2010 UT 35, ¶ 18, 233 P.3d 476 (The legislature unquestionably has the exclusive authority to define what acts constitute crimes and what the elements of those crimes are.) If the legislature can define crime and punishment, it is only reasonable that it can classify individuals based on charges related to those crimes. Finally, the classification at issue, consisting of the oldest minors charged with murder, is reasonable because it applies equally and predictably to all members within the class. See Schofield, 2002 UT 132, ¶ 14, 63 P.3d 667 (The statute applies equally and predictably to all [alleged] offenders. ... [and therefore] the treatment is not arbitrary or without an objective standard.). The minor's age at the commencement of legal proceedings is quickly and objectively ascertained. Id. The only discretion the prosecutor has in relation to the automatic waiver statute is traditional prosecutor[ial] discretion in determining what charges to pursue. See Mohi, 901 P.2d at 1002-04 (Selecting a charge to fit the circumstances of a defendant and his or her alleged acts is a necessary step in the chain of any prosecution. ... requir[ing] a legal determination on the part of the prosecutor as to which elements of an offense can likely be prove[n] at trial.).