Tag: Underage Drinking

Since summer time is here, we all need to be aware that DWI and speeding patrols are increased, including enforcement of teenagers covered by Vanessa’s Law, as the police have announced. In addition, teen drivers are hitting the roads for the first summer, unaware that a single open bottle ticket could mean that they lose their driver’s license for up to two years. So, we are re-posting an earlier explanation of Vanessa’s law and its affects on Minnesota teen drivers with alcohol or crash-related tickerts, including but limited to teenagers with DWI’s.
A recent informal survey taken at the University of Minnesota indicates that many students at the U may believe that drinking and riding a bicycle could lead to driving while impaired charges in Minnesota. Generally, the Minnesota DWI statutes do not apply to a bicycle, if the bike is powered solely by a human being.
A Drinking and Driving violation in Minnesota during prom season for an underage age and/or unlicensed driver could mean the that driver loses his or her license for two years! Teen drivers also receive harsher penalties for violating the law than do drivers over the age of 18. One such example is known as Vanessa’s Law.
Minnesota law prohibits driving while impaired for all drivers. Most Minnesotans understand that the state presumes impairment if a blood, breath or urine test reveals an alcohol level of 0.08 percent or greater. Generally, prosecutors can seek DWI charges based upon other evidence of impairment, such as an arresting officer’s observations or testimony from other witnesses that the state believes shows impairment.
A 20-year-old Andover woman was charged in late January with several crimes after she called police to report a potential theft. Hopkins police say that an officer went to an establishment in Hopkins to investigate the alleged theft. The officer arrived at the Wild Boar shortly after 2:00 in the morning.
The Star Tribune today updated an underage drinking story we recently blogged on. Apparently, as we earlier reported, teenagers have been taking the classic candy Gummi Bears and soaking them in Vodka or other alcohol in order to get drunk surreptitiously or “under the radar.” Many prosecutors and police are now warning teachers and other to be on the lookout for kids getting drunk by eating vodka-infused Gummy Bears or other similar candy.
For most Minnesota high schools, prom season has already come and gone. But the risks of underage drinking, DWI arrests and crashes are still upon us. Why? Because high school graduations are just around the corner. In fact, Hopkins seniors graduate today, and next week, it is Minnetonka seniors’ turns to say goodbye to their high school careers.