Rule 16 - Transfer of delinquency case(a)Transfer of delinquency case for preliminary inquiry.(1) When a minor resides in a county within the state other than the county in which the alleged delinquency occurred, and it appears that the minor qualifies for a nonjudicial adjustment pursuant to statute, the intake probation officer of the county of occurrence shall and shall, unless otherwise directed by court order, transfer the referral to the county of residence for a preliminary inquiry to be conducted in accordance with Rule 15. If any of the following circumstances are found to exist at the time of preliminary inquiry, the referral shall be transferred back to the county of occurrence for filing of a petition and further proceedings: (A) if a minor, the child or the child's parent, guardian or custodian cannot be located or failed to appear after notice for the preliminary inquiry; (B) if a minor, the child or the child's parent, guardian or custodian declines an offer 13 for a nonjudicial adjustment ;(C) if a minor or the minor's custodian cannot be located or fails to appear after notice for the preliminary inquiry or the minor declines an offer for a nonjudicial adjustment ;(D) there are circumstances in the case which require adjudication in the county of occurrence in the interest of justice; or (E) there are multiple minors involved who live in different counties.(b) If the referral is not returned to the county of occurrence, a petition may be filed in the county of residence, and the arraignment and all further proceedings may be conducted in that county if the petition is admitted. (c) After the filing of a petition alleging a delinquency or criminal action, the court may transfer the case to the district where the minor resides or the district where the violation of law or ordinance is alleged to have occurred. The court may, in its discretion, after adjudication certify the case for disposition to the court of the district in which the minor resides.(d) The transferring or certifying court shall notify the receiving court and transmit all documents and legal and social records, or certified copies thereof, to the receiving court. The receiving court shall proceed with the case as if the petition had been originally filed or the adjudication had been originally made in that court.(e) The dismissal of a petition in one district where the dismissal is without prejudice and where there has been no adjudication upon the merits shall not preclude refiling within the same district or another district where venue is proper.Amended February 23, 2018, effective 5/1/2018; amended effective 9/1/2021.