If a 19-year-old was referred for suspicion of arson from two years ago, to which court would they likely be sent?

In this scenario, a 19-year-old being referred for a suspicion of arson from two years ago suggests that the offenses under consideration took place when they were likely a minor, typically under the age of 18. Since the crime occurred while they were still a juvenile, the appropriate forum to handle the case would be juvenile court. Juvenile courts are designed to deal with minors and focus more on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

By law, juvenile courts in many jurisdictions, including North Dakota, have jurisdiction over offenses committed by individuals under the age of 18 at the time of the offense. Therefore, even though the individual is now 19, the court would take into account the age at which the alleged crime was committed, which is pivotal in determining the appropriate court for adjudication.

Criminal court, civil court, and traffic court would not be suitable venues for this type of case as they serve different legal purposes and typically handle cases involving adults, civil disputes, and traffic violations, respectively. Juvenile court is uniquely tailored to address the needs and circumstances of youth offenders, making it the likely destination for this case.