When a 16-year-old is charged with their first offense of driving under the influence of alcohol, to which court are they most likely referred?

When a 16-year-old is charged with their first offense of driving under the influence of alcohol, they are most likely referred to District Court. The reason this is the correct answer is that District Courts typically handle misdemeanor criminal offenses, which include DUI charges—especially for first-time offenses. These courts are designed to address cases involving less severe crimes, making them the appropriate venue for juvenile offenders.

Although Family Court could be an appropriate venue for cases involving minors, it primarily deals with matters such as custody, divorce, and support rather than criminal matters. Traffic Court is also not suitable in this case, as it generally addresses violations related to traffic laws, but does not handle criminal charges like DUI. Lastly, Criminal Court is focused on serious offenses or higher-level felonies rather than the initial handling of juvenile cases, particularly those involving first-time DUI charges. Hence, District Court is specifically structured to address the complexities of juvenile offenses within the criminal justice system.