N.D. Cent. Code § 27-20.3-12: Petition - Who may prepare and file - Review

A petition alleging a child in need of protection must be prepared, filed, and served upon the parties by the state's attorney. A petition may also be prepared by any other person, including a law enforcement officer, which has knowledge of the facts alleged or is informed and believes the facts are true. A petition prepared by any person other than a state's attorney may not be filed unless the director or the court has determined the filing of the petition is in the best interest of the public and the child.