Which legal document initiates a juvenile court proceeding in North Carolina?

The correct answer is that a petition initiates a juvenile court proceeding in North Carolina. In juvenile law, the petition serves as the formal written request to the court, outlining the issues regarding the minor and seeking judicial intervention. It is the primary document that starts the process within the juvenile justice system, effectively laying the groundwork for the court's examination of the situation, whether it involves delinquency, neglect, abuse, or dependency.

In contrast, an appeal pertains to the process of challenging a decision that has already been made by a lower court, and is not a document that initiates proceedings. A complaint is more commonly associated with civil cases involving adult offenders rather than juvenile proceedings. A resolution, while it may occur later in the process as a form of agreement or settlement, does not initiate court actions. Thus, the petition is distinctly tailored to juvenile cases and is vital for engaging the judicial process in matters concerning minors.