A juvenile court—also known as a young offender’s court—is a special court that handles criminal proceedings against minors—usually a child age 17 or younger, but in some states a child age 16 or younger, or age 15 or younger. Juveniles who are accused of violating a criminal statute against theft, drug use, drug possession, assault, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, truancy (skipping school), and curfew violations are often handled by juvenile courts. Juvenile dependency cases in which the state seeks to remove minors from a troubled home environment (when they are abused or neglected by their parents or guardians) are also handled by juvenile courts. But more violent offenses such as aggravated assault, rape, murder, and robbery are less likely to be prosecuted in juvenile court.

Cases in juvenile court are civil proceedings rather than criminal proceedings. This is significant because in juvenile court minors are charged with committing a delinquent act (a civil matter) rather than being charged with a criminal act. In juvenile court, juveniles do not have all of the Constitutional rights as an adult in criminal court does (such as the right to a jury trial), but police, prosecutors, and court officials have broad discretion in handling the case and giving the juvenile a second chance.

In Wyoming, juvenile courts handle cases involving minors who are accused of conduct that would be criminal if committed by an adult. The age of a juvenile in Wyoming is typically defined as a person under the age of 18. Juvenile courts in Wyoming deal with offenses such as theft, drug offenses, assault, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, truancy, and curfew violations. More serious offenses, like aggravated assault, rape, murder, and robbery, may also be handled by juvenile courts, but depending on the severity and circumstances, they can be transferred to adult court. Juvenile proceedings in Wyoming are civil, not criminal, which means that juveniles are adjudicated for delinquent acts rather than being convicted of crimes. While juveniles do not have all the same constitutional rights as adults, such as the right to a jury trial, they are still entitled to certain protections, including the right to an attorney and the right against self-incrimination. The juvenile justice system in Wyoming emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment, with a focus on providing minors with opportunities for treatment, education, and personal development.