Children's Justice Portal

Juvenile Court is a special court for children and their families when there are issues of child abuse and neglect, children needing court supervision, or children committing crimes, known in Juvenile Court as delinquencies.  The purpose of Juvenile Court is to keep children safe, to make decisions that are best for children, and to help families create a safe home for their children.  In Juvenile Court, the judge can require individuals to get help and services such as counseling, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health evaluations, and parenting education.  If a home is not safe for a child, the judge may order the Department of Family Services (DFS) to take care of the child until it is safe for the child to return home. 

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In Wyoming, Juvenile Courts are legislatively established.  Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 5-8-101, Juvenile Courts are established in every county, with the district judges presiding.  Juvenile Courts have general jurisdiction over “all matters and proceedings commenced there which concern any minor alleged to be neglected, his parents, and all persons living in the same household.”

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Under Wyoming law, juvenile court proceedings are confidential.  This means that the general public is excluded from court hearings, cannot access the court or DFS files, and will not see media coverage of the cases.  Only the parties involved in the case, their attorneys, witnesses, and court staff are allowed to be present at hearings.