—Written Statement of Responsi-

bility (a) Where the child or youth and the parent or guardian affirm that they are ready to go forward with the investigation, with or without counsel, and to make a statement concerning the child’s or youth’s responsibility for the alleged misconduct, such affirmation must be embodied in a written statement of responsibility executed by both child or youth and parent, or guardian, and, in the case of the child or youth, in the presence of the parent or guardian. (b) If a child or youth orally acknowledges responsibility for the alleged misconduct but refuses to execute a written statement of respon- sibility, such an oral admission shall not be accepted as the equivalent of an admission, and the case shall be dealt with in the manner pre- scribed in Section 27-6. If the written statement of responsibility is executed, the probation officer shall proceed with the nonjudicial handling of the case. (c) The age, intelligence and maturity of the child or youth and the mutuality of interests between parent or guardian and child or youth shall be weighed in determining their competency to execute such written statement of responsi- bility. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 1025.1 (5), (6).) (Amended June 24, 2002, to take effect Jan. 1, 2003; amended June 30, 2008, to take effect Jan. 1, 2009; amended June 14, 2024, to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.)