In Minnesota, it is illegal to furnish alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age of 21. Under Minnesota Statute 340A.503, any person who provides, sells, or furnishes alcohol to a minor can face serious criminal penalties. This law is intended to curb underage drinking and its associated risks, including accidents, health issues, and other potential harms that arise when minors consume alcohol.
The statute applies to various situations, whether it’s an adult purchasing alcohol for a minor at a liquor store, providing alcohol at a party, or allowing underage individuals to consume alcohol in a private residence. The law strictly prohibits any form of furnishing, including directly handing the alcohol to a minor or indirectly allowing access to alcohol in an unsupervised setting.
Apple Valley Criminal Defense Lawyer
James Blumberg is a qualified criminal defense attorney who focuses on criminal defense. With extensive experience serving Minnesota, Blumberg will fight hard to protect you against a criminal charge.
To find out more about how an experienced criminal defense attorney can help your case, call us today at (952) 431-7758. Your first consultation is free, so call now.
Information Center for Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor
What is Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor?
In Minnesota, furnishing alcohol to a minor is a criminal offense under Minnesota Statute 340A.503, which prohibits any person from selling, giving, or providing alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 21. This includes allowing minors to consume alcohol on premises under one’s control, such as at a party. Here are some examples:
Providing Alcohol at a Party
- Scenario: A 22-year-old college student hosts a party at their apartment. They supply beer and liquor, knowing that several guests are under 21. Even if the minors serve themselves or the host doesn’t directly hand them the drinks, they can still be charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Buying Alcohol for a Minor
- Scenario: A 19-year-old asks their 25-year-old friend to buy them a case of beer from a liquor store. The older friend agrees and delivers the beer to the minor. This is a clear violation of the law and could result in a gross misdemeanor charge for the 25-year-old.
Parent Allowing Underage Drinking at Home
- Scenario: A parent hosts a graduation party for their 18-year-old child. The parent allows the child and their friends, all of whom are under 21, to consume alcohol in the backyard, thinking it’s safer for them to drink under supervision. This would still be considered furnishing alcohol to minors and is illegal under Minnesota law.
Serving Alcohol at a Restaurant or Bar
- Scenario: A bartender accidentally serves alcohol to a customer under 21, either by not checking their ID or misreading it. If the minor is found with alcohol, both the bartender and the establishment could face legal consequences for furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Older Sibling Supplying Alcohol
- Scenario: A 23-year-old sibling brings a bottle of wine to a family gathering and allows their 17-year-old sibling to drink a glass. Even though it’s a family setting, the older sibling could still face charges for providing alcohol to a minor.
These examples illustrate how furnishing alcohol to minors can occur in various situations, whether intentional or accidental.
Penalties
The consequences for furnishing alcohol to a minor in Minnesota can be severe and may result in both criminal and civil penalties. The charges typically depend on the circumstances of the offense, and whether it led to any additional harm or incidents, such as injury or death.
Misdemeanor:
For first-time offenses, the offender can face up to
- 90 days in jail and
- a $1,000 fine.
Gross Misdemeanor:
If bodily harm results, the offender can face up to
- 1 year in jail and
- fines up to $3,000.
Felony:
- If the minor’s consumption leads to serious bodily harm or death, the offender may face prison time and higher fines.
Defenses
Several defenses may be raised to contest charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor under Minnesota law, depending on the specifics of the case. Some common defenses include:
Mistake of Age:
- If the accused can prove that they were led to believe the minor was over the age of 21 based on reasonable evidence, such as a fake ID, this may be a viable defense. However, the burden is on the defendant to prove they took reasonable steps to verify the age of the individual.
Parental Exception:
- Minnesota law allows parents or guardians to furnish alcohol to their children under certain controlled circumstances, such as at home. However, this defense is limited and may not apply if the minor consumes alcohol outside the presence of the parent or guardian.
No Knowledge:
- If the accused had no knowledge or control over the alcohol being provided to minors, such as in cases where alcohol was consumed at a large party without the host’s awareness, this may also serve as a defense.
Additional Resources:
- Minnesota Statute 340A.503: It is unlawful for any person to sell, barter, furnish, or give alcoholic beverages to a person under 21 years of age
- Minnesota Teen Driver and Alcohol Use Laws: A guide for law enforcement surrounding underage drinking
Contact a Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor, you do not have to tackle the criminal justice system alone. Contact Dakota County criminal defense attorney James Blumberg at (952) 431-7758 to begin building a strong defense. Your future is important, and he can use his knowledge and experience on both sides of the law to help you protect it.
James Blumberg Law accepts clients in Dakota County and other surrounding communities including Rice County, Carver County, Scott County, Sibley County, Dodge County, Steele County, and Sibley County.