Juvenile Ordinance Revisions Up for Review at March 23...

DRIGGS — Teton County commissioners will review proposed revisions to the controversial juvenile ordinance provisions on runaway and "beyond parental control" cases at their meeting this Sunday, March 23.

The ordinances, adopted in a rushed vote on December 22, classify running away and being beyond parental control as misdemeanors — creating a legal pathway into the justice system for minors and their families. The move generated immediate public backlash, with residents and youth advocates arguing that the ordinances were adopted with too little community input and could harm vulnerable families, particularly those already distrustful of law enforcement.

At a February 9 meeting, commissioners acknowledged they handled the process poorly. Commissioner Dan Powers said the county should have involved the public earlier, especially advocates representing at-risk youth. Commissioner Ron James, who had pushed for quick adoption in December, agreed: "I don't think we handled it right. We need to go back and revisit this."

The revised draft, prepared by Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Godfrey, makes several changes. Violations would be routed through juvenile court under the Idaho Juvenile Corrections Act rather than treated as adult misdemeanors. The revisions also clarify that a juvenile's presence in public alone does not justify detention or suspicion of being a runaway, and that minors may decline to speak with law enforcement.

A previously contemplated curfew — which would have prohibited anyone under 18 from being out between midnight and 5 a.m. — is not being considered for adoption at this time.

Teton County Sheriff Clint Lemieux issued a public letter on February 25 defending the ordinances, writing that law enforcement has used runaway charges "for over 60 years" and that these cases typically begin when a parent contacts police to locate a child engaged in dangerous behavior.

What to watch: The March 23 meeting at the Teton County Courthouse. Public comment is taken at 9 a.m. during the open mic session.

Sources: Teton County commission meeting agendas and minutes; Sheriff Lemieux public letter; Teton County Prosecutor's Office.