A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any child, ten years of age or older, against whom a complaint has been filed citing the commission of a delinquent act shall appear at the juvenile court at a time certain set by the juvenile court. When the offense alleged is a misdemeanor other than assault or battery and is the child’s first offense according to juvenile court records, the juvenile court may, in its sole discretion, refer the child to a youth service bureau or similar counseling program or make the complaint a matter of record in lieu of the child appearing at the juvenile court.
B. The law enforcement agency making the complaint shall immediately notify the parents, guardian or custodian of the child that the complaint is being sent to the juvenile court. Failure to make such notification shall not bar any proceeding in any court.