When a petition alleges that a juvenile has committed an act for which the juvenile may be transferred to a court of general jurisdiction to be prosecuted under general law, the court, at any time prior to commencement of the hearing on the petition, shall, when required by law, and may, upon its own motion or upon motion by the juvenile officer, the juvenile or the juvenile's parent, guardian or custodian, order that a hearing be held to determine in the discretion of the court whether the juvenile is a proper subject to be dealt with under the juvenile code.

Cross-reference: Section 211.071, RSMo.