Minnesota Juvenile Drinking and Driving (Explained)

In the State of Minnesota, the laws for Juvenile Drunk Driving differ from those for adults --- and all too often, the accused will not simply receive a slap on the wrist. 

Frankly, because these persons are still in the beginnings of their driving lives, courts - hoping to deter future offenses - often will come down hard.  This is why it is important to talk to an experienced Minnesota Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer. 

Minnesota’s Not a Drop Alcohol Law

Furthermore, for minors that have a higher blood alcohol content than just a trace, they will find that they face higher punishments. So those above the limit of .08 will have a higher punishment than someone with .02 and those with a blood alcohol content of .16 will face even greater punishments than that.

When it comes to minors and alcohol, there two primary laws that dictate what punishments they will face. While the zero tolerance policy of the state of Minnesota dictates they will be punished, these laws dictate what those punishments will be.

This law specifically targets juveniles that are below the age of 18 who get behind the wheel while under the influence. Punishments for violations of Vanessa’s Law include:

• They cannot obtain a license or learner’s permit until age 18
• Must pay up to $680 in order to receive the license
• Juvenile DWI drivers may also face extra punishments depending on the nature of the incident and blood alcohol content depending on the judge’s discretion.

If your child is still a minor, then the Not a Drop Law does not specifically pertain to them. This law advises punishments on those who are above 18 years of age, but below the legal drinking age of 21 years old. Punishments for violating the Not a Drop Law include:

• Revocation of driver’s license for up to 30 days or more
• Replacement with a limited or temporary license that has provisions to prevent further DWI incidents.
• Additional punishments may be added depending on the nature of the incident and the blood alcohol content at the judge’s discretion.

If you are in the Minneapolis area and need representation for an underage DWI or even for a DWI for those above the age of 21 years old, contact the Rolloff Law Office to see what we can do for you.  Call today: (612) 234-1165.

Minnesota Under 21 Drinking and Driving (Explained)

Drivers under the age of 21--- who have been suspected of drinking/drugging and driving --- are subject to criminal penalties and other consequences, including: driver’s license suspensions. In the State of Minnesota, there is no tolerance for a person under 21 to have any alcohol in their system at all - when driving. This means the standard law that states a person cannot have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over .08 does not apply.  With this in mind, it is smart to contact a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney to assist with this dilemma --- because every arrest does not have to lead to a conviction.  

If you --- or your child -- has charged with underage Drinking and Driving and/or a DWI (two separate offenses) then you need a Minneapolis DWI Attorney who has worked with young drivers --- helping to avoid harsh consequences and to get back their suspended driver’s licenses.

UNDER 21 DWI PENALTIES
The law in the State of Minnesota apply to drivers of all ages --- when it comes to DWIs. A person has to have an illegal substance in their body at the time they are driving the motor vehicle. Although alcohol is not illegal, it is when a person is behind the wheel of a car. The main difference in the law between drivers under the age of 21 and those that are 21 and over is the BAC content. 

Additionally, there are certain factors that apply to underage drivers that do not apply to drivers over 21. Those are:

Drivers that are 16 or 17 years old and charged with DWI are tried as adults and not juveniles. This means that they are subject to the same penalties and consequences as adults. However, they cannot be sentenced to adult correctional facilities.

VANESSA’S LAW

Vanessa’s Law, named after 15-year-old Vanessa Weiss who was a passenger to a 15-year-old unlicensed driver, was killed in an accident. In 2004, the law went into effect and it states that anyone under the age of 18 and who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol must do the following:

• Wait to obtain their license or permit until the age of 18
• Pay up to $680 in fees before receiving their driver’s license
• Pass a knowledge test before becoming a licensed driver
• Complete a classroom driver education course
• Hold their permit for at least 3 months before applying and testing for their license

Minnesota has a Not a Drop Law for drivers under 21, which means there is no flexibility for these young individuals at all. So if charged with an under 21 DWI, it is very important to call upon a Minneapolis DWI Attorney to help achieve the best outcome possible.

If you need help with an under 21 DWI or you have a child who has been charged, you are most likely experiencing fear for the future and a lot of confusion. The step to take is to call the Rolloff Law Office at (612) 234-1165 to set up a free consultation.  Get answers --- before you take another step.