In the context of juvenile justice, which method allows a prosecutor to file a case directly in adult court?

The correct answer is "Direct File." This method pertains specifically to the ability of a prosecutor to submit a case directly to adult court without going through the juvenile court system. In jurisdictions that allow direct filing, prosecutors have the discretion to decide which cases they believe are appropriate for adult court, often based on the severity of the alleged offense or the age of the juvenile involved.

Direct file enables prosecutors to bypass the traditional juvenile court process, which may focus more on rehabilitation rather than punishment. It represents a more punitive approach that reflects a belief that certain juveniles are beyond the scope of the juvenile justice system and should face the adult legal system's consequences.

In contrast, an indictment is typically associated with formal charges brought by a grand jury, which is not relevant to the decision-making process about where to file a case. A waiver, meanwhile, refers to a judicial process where a juvenile court judge decides to transfer a juvenile case to adult court, thus involving more deliberation. A detention hearing is a preliminary judicial proceeding to determine if there is sufficient reason to hold a juvenile in detention prior to trial but does not directly relate to filing cases in adult court.