What is the first stage of the juvenile pretrial procedures?

• A. Adjudication
• B. Petition
• C. Disposition
• D. Intake

Answer: (D)

In juvenile pretrial procedures, the first stage is intake. This step happens right after an incident involves a juvenile and before any formal court action. A juvenile intake officer reviews information from police reports, schools, families, and other sources to decide how to handle the case. The intake decision determines whether the case should be referred for formal court processing (a petition filed with the court) or diverted to community programs, counseling, or other informal resolutions.

After intake, a petition may be filed if the case moves forward, which leads to adjudication—the formal court hearing to determine delinquency. Disposition comes later, after a finding of delinquency, and decides the consequences or treatment.