August 24, 2026
A first encounter with the North Carolina juvenile justice system can be confusing for both a child and a parent. Unlike adult criminal court, a juvenile case usually does not begin with a prosecutor filing a criminal charge. It generally begins with a complaint that is reviewed by a juvenile court counselor.
That intake stage can be one of the most important parts of a first-time juvenile case. Depending on the allegation and the child’s history, the counselor may close the matter, divert the juvenile away from court, or authorize the complaint to [...]