What type of document is created by the juvenile court to outline charges against a minor?

The document created by the juvenile court to outline charges against a minor is referred to as a petition. This legal document initiates proceedings in juvenile court and specifies the allegations or charges against the juvenile offender. In the context of juvenile law, a petition is designed to serve the purpose of informing the juvenile and their guardians of the nature of the accusations, as well as establishing the grounds for the juvenile court's jurisdiction.

While a complaint can be involved in other legal contexts, particularly in civil matters or adult criminal cases, it is not the term specifically used in juvenile court for outlining charges. An indictment is a formal accusation typically used in felony cases within adult criminal proceedings, not in juvenile cases. A charge sheet, although it may be used informally to reference the charges, is not the correct legal term utilized within the juvenile court system. Thus, the designation of 'petition' is essential in distinguishing juvenile court documents and processes.