This page will help you understand North Dakota alcohol laws and avoid expensive fines or even jail. And needless time and legal costs.
North Dakota alcohol laws cover the state and its visitors. Many may think its alcohol laws are the same as in their home states. But ignorance of the law is no excuse in court.
Overview
I. Minimum Age Laws
II. Other Alcohol Laws
III. Resources
IV. Legal Advice
I. Minimum Age Laws
Young people in North Dakota may want to work in hospitality. It offers many jobs. But they should know the ages required for them. This information can help them plan.
What age is necessary for serving alcohol in a venue to be consumpt on-site? How about for tending bar? What’s the age for selling alcohol to drink elsewhere?
People have questions. So we have answers.
North Dakota alcohol laws let adults age be servers. Of course, adults are those 18 or older. They may sell and serve alcohol under the supervision of a person 21 or older. But they may not mix or dispense alcohol. Persons must be at least 21 to tend bar. The same is true to work in a store selling alcohol for drinking elsewhere.
The state prohibits drinking alcohol for all those under 21. That includes adults 18, 19, and 20 years old. There are no exceptions for medical or other reasons. So doctors may not prescribe meds that contain any alcohol. Nor may priests and ministers give sacramental wine. Nor may parents give wine in Seder.
This prohibition makes criminals of many doctors, priests, ministers, and Jewish parents. The harm in following ones religion this way is unclear. This needless religious prohibition seems to conflict with the Constitutional right of religious freedom.
Using a false ID to try to buy alcohol is a crime. And retailers may seize IDs that appear to be false.
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 0.02% or more is illegal for those under 21.
II. Other North Dakota Alcohol Laws
A. Selling Alcohol
Retailers may not sell alcohol between 2 am and 8am on Mondays through Fridays. And it’s illegal between 2 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Sundays.
It’s also illegal to sell alcohol after 2 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and after 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Nor may retailers sell alcohol at any time on Christmas Day.
Grocery stores may sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits (liquor). But they may do so only in a separate enclosed part of the store.
Of course, it’s illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.
B. Buying Alcohol
Under North Dakota alcohol laws it’s illegal for those under 21 to buy any alcoholic beverage.
Also it’s illegal to give or provide alcohol to anyone under 21. That includes parents giving alcohol to their adult children age 18, 19, or 20.
Those who provide any alcohol to anyone under 21 can face many charges. One of the most serious is that of “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” A conviction for this may prevent a young person from following a desired career. For instance, in education, social services, law enforcement, and others.
Some young people may use a false ID to buy try to buy alcohol. If they do, it’s punishable by a fine up to $1,500 and/or up to thirty days in jail. And a person under 21 who possesses or drinks alcohol is subject to the same penalties.
Public Intoxication is not a crime in North Dakota.
Medical Emergency Amnesty
North Dakota alcohol laws include medical amnesty. The medical amnesty law is to prevent death from alcohol poisoning among those under 21. The problem is simple but serious. Inexperienced young people may over-drink. Because of the penalties for underage drinking, they may not seek medical help for themselves or others.
However, getting prompt help for alcohol-related emergencies saves lives. So the law gives immunity from prosecution to people who call for medical help. The person who calls must remain on the scene helping the person in need until help arrives.
If the person in need calls, that person must cooperate with medical and police at the scene. Learn more at Medical Amnesty Law.
C. Driving and Alcohol
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Under North Dakota alcohol laws it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or above. For those under 21, the limit is 0.02%. Both are driving under the influence (DUI).
These are the penalties for DUI. For a first offense in seven years, it’s a license revocation for 91 days.
A second offense in that period brings the license revocation to 365 days. For a third conviction in seven years, the state doubles the revocation to two years.
The penalties are much higher for a DUI with a BAC of 0.18% or more. That’s over twice the legal limit. For a first such conviction in seven years, the license revocation is for 180 days. A second offense during that period triggers a revocation for two years. And a third conviction in seven years leads to a three-year license suspension.
North Dakota alcohol laws prohibit open containers of alcohol in vehicles.
Driver Rights
All drivers have a U.S. Constitutional right to decline a chemical BAC test. That includes a breath test. But the state punishes those who use their right. It does this with a license revocation of 180 days to three years. The exact length depends on the facts. And the judge.
But the state does not legally penalize drivers who refuse to take a field sobriety test. These are not accurate. For example, about one-third of completely sober people fail them. That is, about one of every three people with a BAC of 0.00% fail! And that’s under ideal indoor conditions.
Lawyers strongly urge drivers to never, ever take a field sobriety test. They say to politely refuse. And to do so as often as needed. Of course, that may be hard.
That’s because police have ways to convince drivers that it’s in their interest to take it. But it never is. They may falsely say the law requires it. The law doesn’t. No state requires it.
Or police may say that drivers can prove their innocence by taking the test. On the contrary, the burden of proof is on the state. That is, it’s the state that has to prove a driver is guilty!
In fact, police can legally lie while investigating. So don’t fall for it!
Learn more at Never Take a Field Sobriety Test Say DUI Lawyers.
Special Licenses
Courts may give first-time offenders who need a driver’s license. That’s to get to work or school. It’s a highly restrictive license. But they must serve at least 30 days of their license suspension. Or they must serve at least 14 days in the 24/7 Sobriety Program.
The state doesn’t give such permits to repeat offenders. Nor to drivers who use their right not to take a breath test.
D. Boating and Alcohol
North Dakota alcohol laws prohibit anyone from boating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Boating includes operating any vessel as well as riding water skis, a surfboard, or similar devices.
A BAC of 0.10% or higher is evidence boating under the influence (BUI). But the state may use other facts to show BUI.
Penalties for BUI are a fine of up to $1,500 and/or jail for up to 30 days. And the state suspends the operating license for 91 days for a first offense.
A prior BUI conviction within five tears increases the suspension to 364 days. Two convictions within that time triggers a two-year suspension.
People 21 or older may legally possess open containers and drink alcohol in a boat.
Some boaters use the Constitutional right to decline taking a chemical test for BAC. If they do, the state cannot present that fact in court. And it argues that it shows guilt.
III. Resources on North Dakota Alcohol Laws
IV. Legal Advice about Drinking Laws in North Dakota
North Dakota alcohol laws, as in other states, can be hard to understand. They can be confusing. They can conflict. Family will give advice. So will neighbors. Co-workers and friends are full of ideas and opinions. Smile and thank them. Then ignore what they say. And never rely on this site. Nor on any other site.
Lawyers study law for years. Get facts and advice about North Dakota alcohol laws from an expert. That is a lawyer holding a license in the state.