Who files the original petition against a juvenile?

The original petition against a juvenile is typically filed by the District Attorney's Office. In juvenile justice systems, the District Attorney's Office is responsible for prosecuting cases against minors accused of committing delinquent acts. They investigate the alleged offenses, gather evidence, and determine whether there is sufficient basis to file a petition in juvenile court. This process involves a legal document known as a petition, which outlines the charges against the juvenile and initiates formal proceedings.

Other entities, such as the Probation Department, the Public Defender's Office, and Family Court, play crucial roles in the juvenile justice process but do not file the original petition. For instance, the Probation Department may be involved in supervision and support during and after the court process, while the Public Defender's Office provides legal representation to the juvenile after a petition has been filed. Family Courts also deal with various aspects of juvenile cases, but they are not the filing authority for the original petition. Thus, the District Attorney's Office is the correct entity to initiate the case by filing the original petition against a juvenile.