a2Minnesota laws are tough on underage drinking and driving. These offenses carry serious criminal consequences. And the collateral, hidden consequences following a conviction can be worse than the criminal penalties.
If you or a loved-one has been arrested or charged with an underage drinking and driving offense you need to speak to an experienced Minnesota criminal defense lawyer. The Balmer Law Office is pleased to provide free and confidential case evaluations. Contact the firm via its 24-hour hotline: 612-326-4175.
Minnesota Underage Drinking and Driving Laws
When it comes to teens, alcohol, and cars there are generally two types of criminal offenses that apply in Minnesota:
Underage Drinking and Driving, Minnesota’s not-a-drop law
DWI – Driving While Impaired
Underage Drinking and Driving (Minn. Stat. § 169A.33)
Minnesota’s not-a-drop law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from having any physical evidence of consumption of alcohol in their system while driving, operating, or in physical control of a motor vehicle. A violation of the law is a misdemeanor offense — meaning it can be punished by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Regardless of the defendant’s age, the case will be heard in adult criminal court. Juveniles — those under 18 — don’t get the benefit of juvenile court for this type of an offense.
Hidden Consequences for Underage Drinking and Driving
In addition to the criminal sanctions for underage drinking and driving, numerous additional consequences follow a criminal conviction:
driver's license suspension — first offense, 30 days; subsequent offenses, 180 days
terminated or substantially increased insurance costs
suspension from high school athletics or other programs
reduced college and employment opportunities
These types of consequences are often worse than the criminal sanctions because they can have such far reaching effects on future employment.
Underage Driving While Impaired (Minn. Stat. § 169A.20)
Regardless of the driver’s age, anyone under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance can be charged with DWI (driving while impaired) if they were driving, operating, or in physical control of a motor vehicle. All drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or more are per se impaired and are in violation of Minnesota DWI law. Depending on the driver’s blood alcohol concentration, a first-time DWI can be either a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offense.
Extra Consequences for Underage Drinking and Driving / DWI Violations — Vanessa’s Law
Minnesota law applies extra administrative (i.e. driver's license) consequences for drivers under the age of 18 involved in alcohol / controlled substances violations. Vanessa’s law was named after Vanessa Weiss who was killed just days before her 16th birthday by an unlicensed teen driver.
For unlicensed drivers under the age of 18, the law stops any unlicensed driver involved in an alcohol / controlled-substance moving violation from being permitted to drive until they are at least 18 years old. Once the driver turns 18, they must pass all written and driving requirements, pay all license reinstatement fees (up to $680 dollars), and hold an instructor’s permit for at least six months.
Vanessa’s law also applies to licensed drivers under the age of 18. Licensed drivers involved in an alcohol / controlled-substance moving violation are not permitted to drive until they are at least 18 years old. Once they turn 18 they must pay all licenses reinstatement fees (up to $680 dollars), retake all written examinations, complete a behind-the-wheel driver’s class, and hold an instructor’s permit for at least three months.
Contact the Balmer Law Office — Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney
Just like DWI, underage drinking and driving is a serious criminal offense. Minnesota law applies tough criminal penalties to those convicted of underage drinking violations. And the consequences of a conviction can have far-reaching effects. If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with an underage drinking and driving violation contact the Balmer Law Office for a free and confidential case evaluation. Minneapolis criminal defense attorney David Balmer can be reached via the firm’s 24-hour hotline: 612-326-4175.
David Balmer
David Balmer established the Balmer Law Office with one overriding goal: provide aggressive, high-caliber criminal and DWI defense for good people facing serious charges throughout the state of Minnesota. Read More
