• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Call For A Free Consultation651-686-8800
  • Firm Overview
    • Articles
    • Settlements & Verdicts
    • Video Center
  • Attorneys
    • Jeffrey S. Sheridan
    • DeAnne L. Dulas
    • Andrew T. Hunstad
    • Randall A. Kins
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Defense
    • Aggressive DWI Defense
    • Aviation Lawyers
    • Family Law
    • Estate Planning & Litigation
    • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
    • Business Law And Litigation
      • Real Estate Law
      • Small Business Law
    • Federal Workers’ Compensation
    • Other Areas Of Law
  • Blog
  • Contact

High Court Sanctions Novel Way to Enforce Child Support

May 16, 2013 by Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.

Minnesota has joined other aggressive states in making it harder and harder for dead-beat dads — and mothers for that matter.

When anybody is delinquent in the payment of child support, the Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled that it is constitutional for the state to take away their drivers’ licenses.

This is very bad news for one of the protagonists in the important suit, a truck driver who has consistently claimed that his $27,000 in child support arrearage is directly attributable to the suspension of his commercial driver’s license. No license — no job. Under the statute, officials can suspend a driver’s license of anyone who is three months behind in child-support payments.

There may be some obvious common sense arguments against lifting drivers’ licenses of delinquent parents, but the arguments against were presented to the court on U.S. constitutional grounds, always a tough road to travel.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals easily determined that the United States Supreme Court has never held that the right to pursue a particular profession is a fundamental right. Furthermore, it determined that there was a sound connection between withholding a commercial driver’s license and the public’s interest in coaxing child support payments.

The Court of Appeals also didn’t buy the lower court’s ruling that the whole scheme of license confiscation was irrational and that the operation of the controversial statute worked more hardship on folks in rural Minnesota where public transportation is scarce.

The latest ruling is just more in the pot for domestic relations attorneys to stir and blend in creative ways. These legal experts work hard to see that the support awarded is fair to both sides, while meeting the needs of the children.

Source:  MPR News, “Court: State may strip driver’s license of people delinquent on child support” Bob Collins, May. 08, 2013

Categories: Child Support Tags: Child Support

Primary Sidebar

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense
  • Aggressive DWI Defense
  • Family Law
  • Estate Planning & Litigation
  • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
  • Aviation Law
  • Federal Workers’ Compensation
  • Business Law And Litigation
    • Small Business Law
    • Real Estate Law
  • Other Areas Of Law

Contact the Firm

    Footer

    Schedule a Consultation

    Sheridan & Dulas, P.A. logo Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.

    1380 Corporate Center Curve #320
    Eagan, MN 55121

    Tel: 651-686-8800
    Driving Directions

    Hours

    Mon-Fri: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

    Schedule a Consultation

    Practice Areas

    • Criminal Defense
    • Aggressive DWI Defense
    • Family Law
    • Estate Planning & Litigation
    • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
    • Aviation Law
    • Federal Workers’ Compensation
    • Business Law And Litigation
      • Small Business Law
      • Real Estate Law
    • Other Areas Of Law
    The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. The transmission and receipt of information contained on this website, in whole or in part, or communication with the Sheridan & Dulas, P.A. via the Internet or e-mail through this website does not constitute or create a lawyer-client relationship between this firm and any recipient. You should not send any confidential information in response to this webpage. Such responses will not create a lawyer-client relationship, and whatever you disclose will not be privileged or confidential unless this firm has agreed to act as your legal counsel and you have executed a written engagement agreement with Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.. | Copyright © 2021 | All rights reserved | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap