Petition

(a) Submission. Information that a child is delinquent or wayward shall be submitted to the court in the form of a petition by an “appropriate person” as defined in G.L. 1956 § 14-1-3(2). (b) Contents. The petition shall be sworn to on the basis of knowledge or information and belief before a judicial officer or clerk of the court or before a notary public and shall set forth the following: (1) To the extent known the name, age, and residence of: (a) The child; (b) The child's parents; (c) The child's other legal guardian, if there is one; (d) The person having custody and control of the child; and (e) The child's nearest known relative, if no parent or guardian can be found; (2) A plain statement of the facts by reason of which the child is allegedly delinquent or wayward, including reference to the statutory offense, if any, alleged to have been committed; Page 4 of 52 February 2024 (3) If any of the facts required by subdivision (1) are not known by the petitioner, the petition shall so state; and (4) The petition shall be entitled “In the matter of a child under eighteen (18) years of age.”