Missoula Youth Court receives referrals from a variety of sources. Approximately 95% of referrals are generated through law enforcement agencies in the form of a ticket (citation). Other sources include parents and schools, as well as some self-referrals.

The referrals initiated by law enforcement occur when a young person is either apprehended in the act of breaking the law or through investigation, it has been determined they are involved in some type of criminal or otherwise illegal activity. Youth Court receives tickets on charges ranging from runaway, truancy, and ungovernable to rape, theft, robbery, homicide, and other criminal offenses. 

Youth Court does not process alcohol  minor in possession (MIP) charges and does not have jurisdiction over traffic offenses.