Underage Drinking
Minn. Stat. 340A.503 — under 21, consuming, buying or possessing alcohol away from a parent's household is unlawful
Under 21. It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years to consume alcoholic beverages, to buy or try to buy them, to possess them intending to consume them somewhere other than a parent's or guardian's household, or to claim to be 21 or older to get them. Possession outside that household is presumed to be for consumption there.
It is an affirmative defense to consuming that it happened in the household of the person's parent or guardian with that parent's or guardian's consent. Selling, furnishing or giving alcohol to a person under 21 is unlawful, with a like defense for a parent or guardian.
A person who calls 911 to report that someone needs medical help for an immediate health or safety concern is not prosecuted for consuming or possessing, if the caller is the first to report, gives a name and contact information, stays until help arrives and cooperates.
Sources for this section (1)
- Minn. Stat. 340A.503 — Persons under 21; illegal acts
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.