Matter of Ford

WHICHARD, Judge.

We note at the outset that the record does not contain “a copy of the notice of appeal, or of the appeal entry showing appeal taken orally, and of all other appeal entries relative to the perfecting of appeal” in violation of Rule 9(b)(3)(viii), North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure. We nevertheless consider the matter in our discretion.

Former G.S. 7A-280 (now repealed) gave the juvenile court (the District Court division) discretion, in cases where the juvenile had attained the age of 14 years, to “proceed to hear the case” or, if it found that the needs of the child or…