The minor's past record. Formal charges are more likely when a minor has been previously involved with juvenile court. The strength of the evidence that the minor committed a crime. Obviously, stronger evidence leads to a greater likelihood of formal charges. The minor's gender.
Formal charges are more likely to be filed against boys than against girls.
The minor's social history. Petitions are more likely to be filed when children have a history of problems at home or at school. The parent's or guardian's apparent ability to control the minor. The greater the lack of parental control, the more likely the intake officer is to file a petition. In addition to these official reasons, the filing decisions of many intake officers cannot help but be swayed by a number of subjective factors.