At age 18, does municipal court retain jurisdiction over the third and subsequent Alcoholic Beverage Code offenses?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. No; municipal court does not retain jurisdiction
• D. Only if the offense is a misdemeanor

Answer: (C)

When a defendant faces Alcoholic Beverage Code offenses, the court that can hear the case depends on how many prior offenses exist and the person’s age. Municipal courts handle many initial offenses, especially Class C misdemeanors. But once there are two prior Alcoholic Beverage Code convictions, the third offense isn’t kept in municipal court. The case moves to a higher level of court because the offense is treated as more serious for an adult. So, at age 18, a third or subsequent offense isn’t within municipal court’s jurisdiction. That’s why the best answer states that municipal court does not retain jurisdiction.