N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-1500

This Subchapter shall be interpreted and construed so as to implement the following purposes and policies:

(1) To protect the public from acts of delinquency.

(2) To deter delinquency and crime, including patterns of repeat offending: By providing swift, effective dispositions that emphasize the juvenile offender's accountability for the juvenile's actions; and

(3) By providing appropriate rehabilitative services to juveniles and their families.

(4) To provide an effective system of intake services for the screening and evaluation of complaints and, in appropriate cases, where court intervention is not necessary to ensure public safety, to refer juveniles to community-based resources.

(5) To provide uniform procedures that assure fairness and equity; that protect the constitutional rights of juveniles, parents, and victims; and that encourage the court and others involved with juvenile offenders to proceed with all possible speed in making and implementing determinations required by this Subchapter.