MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                           1087

and approve the filing of a petition if he believes this action is neces-
sary to protect the community or the child.

(3) (C) In any case in which delinquency is alleged, the State's
Attorney in open court, may dismiss the petition.

(d) When authorization to file a petition alleging a child to be
in need of supervision, neglected, dependent, or mentally handi-
capped is denied, upon request of the complainant, the regional su-
pervisor of the intake consultant who has made the denial shall re-
view the complaint and approve the filing of a petition if he believes
this action is necessary to protect the community or the child.

70-7.

Before a petition under Section 70-2 is filed the intake consultant
or any other person authorized by the court may give counsel and
advice to the parties with a view to an informal adjustment if it
appears:

(1)  The case falls within the court's jurisdiction upon the facts
admitted by the parties; and

(2)  Such counsel and advice, without an adjudication, would be
to the best interests of the public and child; and

(3)  The parties consent thereto in writing with knowledge that
consent is not obligatory.

During the informal adjustment process, no party may be com-
pelled to appear at any conference, produce any papers, or visit
any place.

No statement made by a participant while counsel and advice are
being given, offered, or sought, or other information secured in the
discussions or conferences incident thereto, shall be admitted in evi-
dence in any adjudicatory hearing or in a criminal proceeding
against him, at any time prior to conviction.

70-8.

No statement made or information secured incident to the pre-
liminary inquiry required by Section 70-6, or to the predisposition
study required by Section 70-14, shall be admitted in evidence in
any hearing prior to the determination at the adjudicatory hearing
or in a criminal proceeding against him, at any time prior to con-
viction.

70-9.

A child may be taken into custody:

(1)  Pursuant to the order of the Court under the provisions of
this subtitle;

(2) Pursuant to the laws of arrest;

(3)  By a law enforcement officer or other person authorized by the
Court when he has reasonable grounds to believe that the child
is in immediate danger from his surroundings and that his removal
is necessary for his protection;

(4) By a law enforcement officer or other person authorized by
the Court when he has reasonable grounds to believe that the child
has run away from his parents, guardian, or legal custodian.