NRS62C.100. Referral of complaint to probation officer; preliminary inquiry and recommendation by probation officer; powers and duties of district attorney concerning approval and filing of petition; release of child if petition not approved or timely filed.

      1.  When a complaint is made alleging that a child is delinquent or in need of supervision:

      (a) The complaint must be referred to a probation officer of the appropriate county; and

      (b) The probation officer shall conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the best interests of the child or of the public:

             (1) Require that a petition be filed; or

             (2) Would better be served by placing the child under informal supervision pursuant to NRS 62C.200.

      2.  If, after conducting the preliminary inquiry, the probation officer recommends the filing of a petition, the district attorney shall determine whether to file the petition.

      3.  If, after conducting the preliminary inquiry, the probation officer does not recommend the filing of a petition or that the child be placed under informal supervision, the probation officer must notify the complainant regarding the complainant’s right to seek a review of the complaint by the district attorney.

      4.  If the complainant seeks a review of the complaint by the district attorney, the district attorney shall:

      (a) Review the facts presented by the complainant;

      (b) Consult with the probation officer; and

      (c) File the petition with the juvenile court if the district attorney believes that the filing of the petition is necessary to protect the interests of the child or of the public.

      5.  The determination of the district attorney concerning whether to file the petition is final.

      6.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 62C.060, if a child is in detention or shelter care, the child must be released immediately if a petition alleging that the child is delinquent or in need of supervision is not:

      (a) Approved by the district attorney; or

      (b) Filed within 4 days after the date the complaint was referred to the probation officer, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, except that the juvenile court may, for good cause shown by the district attorney, allow an additional 4 days for the filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

      (Added to NRS by 2003, 1048; A 2013, 714)