School policies and state laws regarding fights or threats of violence on school grounds vary from state to state; from school district to school district; and between public schools, private schools, and charter schools.

School discipline and punishment laws are generally located in a state’s statutes (often in the Education Code) and further defined in a specific school’s policies and procedures. Federal laws may also apply in particular school discipline contexts. And state and federal criminal laws may apply to certain student conduct that occurs on school property or at school-sponsored events.

In Utah, the handling of fights or threats of violence on school grounds is governed by a combination of state statutes, local school district policies, and federal laws. Utah's state statutes, particularly within the Education Code, outline the general framework for school discipline and punishment. These laws mandate that public schools have conduct and discipline policies in place, which often include provisions for dealing with violence or threats of violence. Each school district in Utah may have its own specific policies that further detail the procedures and consequences for such incidents. These policies are applicable to public schools and may vary for private and charter schools, which have more autonomy in setting their own discipline guidelines. Additionally, federal laws such as the Gun-Free Schools Act impose certain requirements on how schools must respond to specific violent behaviors, like firearms possession on school property. When student conduct constitutes a crime, state and federal criminal laws can also come into play, potentially leading to juvenile justice system involvement or criminal charges, depending on the severity of the incident and the age of the students involved.