People with knowledge of the facts may file a child delinquency complaint, and the court’s intake process must review, investigate, and route the complaint based on legal sufficiency and the child’s best interests.
1. Any person having knowledge of the facts may file a complaint with the court or its designee alleging that a child has committed a delinquent act. A written record shall be maintained of any oral complaint received. 2. The court or its designee shall refer the complaint to an intake officer who shall consult with law enforcement authorities having knowledge of the facts and conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine what action should be taken. 3. In the course of a preliminary inquiry, the intake officer may: a. Interview the complainant, victim, or witnesses of the alleged delinquent act. b. Check existing records of the court, law enforcement agencies, public records of other agencies, and child abuse records as provided in section 235A.15, subsection 2, paragraph “e”. c. Hold conferences with the child and the child’s parent or parents, guardian, or custodian for the purpose of interviewing them and discussing the disposition of the complaint in accordance with the requirements set forth in subsection 8. d. Examine any physical evidence pertinent to the complaint. e. Interview such persons as are necessary to determine whether the filing of a petition would be in the best interests of the child and the community as provided in section 232.35, subsections 2 and 3. 4. Any additional inquiries may be made only with the consent of the child and the child’s parent or parents, guardian, or custodian. 5. Participation of the child and the child’s parent or parents, guardian, or custodian in a conference with an intake officer shall be voluntary, and they shall have the right to refuse to participate in such conference. At such conference the child shall have the right to the assistance of counsel in accordance with section 232.11 and the right to remain silent when questioned by the intake officer. 6. The intake officer, after consultation with the county attorney when necessary, shall determine whether the complaint is legally sufficient for the filing of a petition. A complaint shall be deemed legally sufficient for the filing of a petition if the facts as alleged are sufficient to establish the jurisdiction of the court and probable cause to believe that the child has committed a delinquent act. If the intake officer determines that the complaint is legally sufficient to support the filing of a petition, the officer shall determine whether the interests of the child and the public will best be served by the dismissal of the complaint, the informal adjustment of the complaint, or the filing of a petition. 7. If the intake officer determines that the complaint is not legally sufficient for the filing of a petition or that further proceedings are not in the best interests of the child or the public, the intake officer shall dismiss the complaint. 8. If the intake officer determines that the complaint is legally sufficient for the filing of a petition and that an informal adjustment of the complaint is in the best interests of the child and the community, the officer may make an informal adjustment of the complaint in accordance with section 232.29. 9. If the intake officer determines that the complaint is legally sufficient for the filing of a petition and that the filing of a petition is in the best interests of the child and the public, the officer shall request the county attorney to file a petition in accordance with section 232.35. [SS15, §254-a15; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §3621; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §232.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §232.3; C79, 81, §232.28; 82 Acts, ch 1209, §6, 7] 88 Acts, ch 1134, §50; 95 Acts, ch 191, §10; 96 Acts, ch 1110, §1; 97 Acts, ch 126, §16, 17; 98 Acts, ch 1090, §61, 84; 2013 Acts, ch 42, §3; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §594 Referred to in §232.147, 235A.15, 915.26