Judicial officers (judges, justices, and commissioners) are appointed interpreters of the law and preside over the resolution of legal cases. 

Judges rule on the admissibility of evidence and determine how a trial will proceed. In many trials, juries are selected. Judges instruct juries on applicable laws, direct them to deduce the facts from the evidence presented and hear their verdicts. 

Judges decide the cases when the law does not require a jury trial or when the parties waive their right to a jury. 

Judges' duties vary according to the extent of their jurisdiction and power, but each has an important civic influence in their role as public servants.

As the courts attempt to assist youth who have violated the law in transforming their behaviors and making positive contributions to society, probation officers are a predominant influence in realizing this transformation. Probation officers link juveniles to the court and the community. In this role, probation officers perform non-judicial case handling for the Juvenile Courts in the following ways:

• Evaluating and using evidence-based practices to guide youth on paths most likely to successfully and permanently leave the juvenile justice system.

• Engaging often in team approaches to problem-solving to assist families with wraparound services.

• Providing guidance and supervision to the juvenile and family.

• Communicating and coordinating with the Court regarding juvenile progress.

• Facilitating elements of victim restitution.

• Working toward and recommending release from probation. 

Probation officers must exercise tact and sound judgment while performing this valuable service to the state of Utah and its youth.