80-6-601. Minors' cases considered civil proceedings -- Minor not to be charged with crime -- Exception for a prior adjudication -- Traffic violation cases.
(1) Except as provided in Part 5, Minor Tried as an Adult, a proceeding in a minor's case under this chapter is a civil proceeding with the juvenile court exercising equitable powers.
(2) An adjudication by a juvenile court of a minor under this chapter is not considered a conviction of a crime, except in cases involving traffic violations. An adjudication may not: operate to impose any civil disabilities upon the minor; or disqualify the minor for any civil service or military service or appointment.
(3) Except in cases involving traffic violations, and as provided in Part 5, Minor Tried as an Adult, a minor may not be charged with a crime and convicted in any court. Except as provided in Section, if a petition is filed in the juvenile court, the minor may not later be subject to criminal prosecution based on the same facts. 80-6-504 Except as provided in Section, an individual may not be subject to a proceeding under this chapter for an offense that the individual is alleged to have committed before the individual was 12 years old. 80-6-305
(4) An adjudication by a juvenile court of a minor under this chapter is considered a conviction for the purposes of determining the level of offense for which a minor may be charged and enhancing the level of an offense in the juvenile court. A prior adjudication may be used to enhance the level or degree of an offense committed by an adult only as otherwise specifically provided.