Loraine was brought to juvenile court for underage drinking. What category of case is this?

In juvenile justice, a status offense refers to activities that are only considered offenses due to the age of the individual involved. Underage drinking is a prime example; it is not illegal for an adult but is prohibited for minors. This differentiation highlights that the behavior is deemed inappropriate based solely on the individual's age, making it a status offense.

The other categories do not apply in this scenario. Delinquency typically pertains to offenses that would be considered crimes if committed by adults, while a criminal offense encompasses a wider range of behaviors that are illegal regardless of the offender's age. Additionally, civil cases deal with disputes between individuals or organizations that do not typically involve criminal charges. In Loraine's case, since the behavior in question is only illegal because of her age, it clearly classifies as a status offense.