Which court has original jurisdiction over juveniles defined by statute as delinquents or status offenders?

• A. District Court
• B. Family Court
• C. Criminal Court
• D. Juvenile Court

Answer: (D)

Juvenile Court has the original jurisdiction over minors charged as delinquents or for status offenses because these cases are handled within a specialized system designed for youths, focusing on rehabilitation and development rather than adult-style punishment. A delinquency involves acts that would be crimes if done by an adult, while a status offense is illegal only because the actor is a minor (like truancy). These cases are typically started in the Juvenile Court so that procedures, privacy protections, and rehabilitation-focused approaches can be applied from the outset. District Court and Criminal Court deal with general or adult criminal matters, and Family Court handles many family-related issues; but the specific cases involving delinquency and status offenses belong in Juvenile Court.