(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), if the person arrested appears to be under the age of 18 years, and the arrest is for a violation listed in Section 256 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, other than an offense involving a firearm, the notice under Section 853.6 shall instead provide that the person shall appear before the juvenile court, a juvenile court referee, or a juvenile hearing officer within the county in which the offense charged is alleged to have been committed, and the officer shall instead, as soon as practicable, file the duplicate notice with the prosecuting attorney unless the prosecuting attorney directs the officer to file the duplicate notice with the clerk of the juvenile court, the juvenile court referee, or the juvenile hearing officer. If the notice is filed with the prosecuting attorney, within 48 hours before the date specified on the notice to appear, the prosecutor, within his or her discretion, may initiate proceedings by filing the notice or a formal petition with the clerk of the juvenile court, or the juvenile court referee or juvenile hearing officer, before whom the person is required to appear by the notice.

(b) A juvenile court may exercise the option of not requiring a mandatory appearance of the juvenile before the court for infractions contained in the Vehicle Code, except those related to drivers’ licenses as specified in Division 6 (commencing with Section 12500), those related to financial responsibility as specified in Division 7 (commencing with Section 16000), those related to speeding violations as specified in Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000) in which the speed limit was violated by 15 or more miles per hour, and those involving the use or possession of alcoholic beverages as specified in Division 11.5 (commencing with Section 23500).

(c) In counties where an Expedited Youth Accountability Program is operative, as established under Section 660.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, a peace officer may issue a citation and written promise to appear in juvenile court or record the minor’s refusal to sign the promise to appear and serve notice to appear in juvenile court, according to the requirements and procedures provided in that section.

(d) This section may not be construed to limit the discretion of a peace officer or other person with the authority to enforce laws pertaining to juveniles to take the minor into custody pursuant to Article 15 (commencing with Section 625) of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 149, Sec. 68. Effective January 1, 2004.)