Minnesota is a no fault state.
609.21, Minnesota Statutes 2007
Copyright © 2007 by the Office of Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota.
609.21 CRIMINAL VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND INJURY.
Subdivision 1. Criminal vehicular homicide or operation; crime described. A person
is guilty of criminal vehicular homicide or operation and may be sentenced as provided in
subdivision 1a, if the person causes injury to or the death of another as a result of operating a
motor vehicle:
(1) in a grossly negligent manner;
(2) in a negligent manner while under the influence of:
(i) alcohol;
(ii) a controlled substance; or
(iii) any combination of those elements;
(3) while having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more;
(4) while having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, as measured within two hours of
the time of driving;
(5) in a negligent manner while knowingly under the influence of a hazardous substance;
(6) in a negligent manner while any amount of a controlled substance listed in schedule I or
II, or its metabolite, other than marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols, is present in the person's body;
(7) where the driver who causes the accident leaves the scene of the accident in violation of
section 169.09, subdivision 1 or 6; or
(
where the driver had actual knowledge that a peace officer had previously issued a citation
or warning that the motor vehicle was defectively maintained, the driver had actual knowledge
that remedial action was not taken, the driver had reason to know that the defect created a present
danger to others, and the injury or death was caused by the defective maintenance.
Subd. 1a. Criminal penalties. (a) A person who violates subdivision 1 and causes the death
of a human being not constituting murder or manslaughter or the death of an unborn child may
be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more
than $20,000, or both.
(b) A person who violates subdivision 1 and causes great bodily harm to another not
constituting attempted murder or assault or great bodily harm to an unborn child who is
subsequently born alive may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to
payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
(c) A person who violates subdivision 1 and causes substantial bodily harm to another
may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than three years or to payment of a fine of not
more than $10,000, or both.
(d) A person who violates subdivision 1 and causes bodily harm to another may be sentenced
to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or
both.
Subd. 1b. Conviction not bar to punishment for other crimes. A prosecution for or a
conviction of a crime under this section relating to causing death or injury to an unborn child
is not a bar to conviction of or punishment for any other crime committed by the defendant as
part of the same conduct.
Subd. 2.[Repealed, 2007 c 54 art 3 s 15]
Subd. 2a.[Repealed, 2007 c 54 art 3 s 15]
Subd. 2b.[Repealed, 2007 c 54 art 3 s 15]
Subd. 3.[Repealed, 2007 c 54 art 3 s 15]
Subd. 4.[Repealed, 2007 c 54 art 3 s 15]
Subd. 4a. Affirmative defense. It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge under
subdivision 1, clause (6), that the defendant used the controlled substance according to the terms
of a prescription issued for the defendant in accordance with sections 152.11 and 152.12.
Subd. 5. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have
the meanings given them.
(a) "Motor vehicle" has the meaning given in section 609.52, subdivision 1, and includes
attached trailers.
(b) "Controlled substance" has the meaning given in section 152.01, subdivision 4.
(c) "Hazardous substance" means any chemical or chemical compound that is listed as a
hazardous substance in rules adopted under chapter 182.
