What must occur before procedures for taking a juvenile into custody begin?

The correct answer indicates that a law must be broken before procedures for taking a juvenile into custody can begin. This reflects the foundational principle of juvenile justice, which is predicated on the requirement of a legal basis for action. In this context, the police or relevant authority must have reasonable grounds to believe that a juvenile has committed an offense, which justifies their detention.

Once a law has been allegedly broken and a charge arises, it legitimizes the steps taken by law enforcement in the custody process. This process aims to ensure that juvenile offenders are treated in accordance with law and policy that reflects their developmental stage, as well as their status under the law.

The other options, such as notifying the juvenile's parents, conducting a mental health evaluation, or obtaining a court order, are either procedural steps that follow the initial taking into custody or requirements that are often contingent upon the specific circumstances, but they do not precede the requirement for a lawful reason to detain the juvenile.