Many cities have implemented curfews, both to protect minors from the dangers posed on city streets at night and to prevent teens from the trouble they might create for themselves while out unsupervised. In Los Angeles, for example, minors may not be out in public between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise, with certain exceptions. Violations are punishable by a $675 fine, driver's license restrictions, and/or community service. Some other cities have separate curfews for children under 13.
Read on to learn more about juvenile curfew laws in big cities and how they could affect you and your loved ones.
Juvenile Curfew Laws in Big Cities: A Sampling
The following are links to the municipal codes relating to juvenile curfew laws in 25 of the most populous U.S. cities.
| New York City Curfew Law | "...there are imposed curfews on all ages for the City of New York (NYC) but those restrictions are not citywide and are in designated areas..." Follow this link for a reference guide. (411 New York) |
| Los Angeles Curfew Law | City of Los Angeles Curfew Information (Los Angeles Police Department) |
| Chicago Curfew Law | Municipal Code of Chicago, Title 8, Chapter 8-16, Section 8-16-020: Curfew hours for minors. (American Legal Publishing) |
| Houston Curfew Law | City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 28, Article 5: Juvenile Curfew (Municode) |
| Phoenix Curfew Law | Phoenix Juvenile Curfew Program (Codebook) |
| Philadelphia Curfew Law | Enforcement of Curfew Ordinance (Philadelphia Police Department) |
| San Antonio Curfew Law | San Antonio Youth Curfew (Municode) |
| San Diego Curfew Law | San Diego Truancy and Curfew (City of San Diego Police Department) |
| Dallas Curfew Law | Dallas City Code Chapter 31, section 31-33: Curfew hours for minors. (Dallas Police Department) |
| San Jose Curfew Law | San Jose Youth Protection Curfew Information (San Jose Police Department) |
| Detroit Curfew Law | City of Detroit Code Chapter 33, Article III: Regulation of Minors on Public Streets, at Public Places, and in Private Establishments (Municode) |
| Jacksonville Curfew Law | City of Jacksonville Ordinance Code, Chapter 603: Children's Curfew (Municode) |
| Indianapolis Curfew Law | Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County Indianapolis/Marion, Chapter 381: Minors (Municode) |
| San Francisco Curfew Law | San Francisco Juvenile Curfew (American Legal Publishing) |
| Columbus (OH) Curfew Law | What to Know About Curfew (City Scene Columbus) |
| Austin Curfew Law | City of Austin Code of Ordinances, Title 9, Chapter 9-3: Non-Emergency Curfews. (Municode) |
| Memphis Curfew Law | Code of Ordinances of Memphis, TN Section 10-28-4: Minor curfew. (Municode) |
| Fort Worth Curfew Law | Fort Worth Teen Curfew (Fort Worth Police Department, via NextDoor) |
| Baltimore Curfew Law | Baltimore City Code, Article 19, Sub 34 (Baltimore City Government) |
| Charlotte (NC) Curfew Law | City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances Chapter 15, Article VII: Youth Protection. (Municode) |
| El Paso Curfew Law | Chapter 10.20 Offenses By Or Against Minors: Curfew (Municode) |
| Boston Curfew Law | Chapter XVI, Sect. 50. After-Hours Parties (American Legal Publishing) |
| Seattle Curfew Law | Chapter 10. Sect. 10.02.020 Authority of Mayor to issue certain orders. (Municode) |
| Washington, D.C. Curfew Law | D.C. Curfew Law: Know the Facts (Washington DC Municipal Code) |
| Milwaukee Curfew Law | City of Milwaukee Code of Ordinances section 106-23: Loitering of Minors (Curfew Hours) (Milwaukee City Government) |
Have Questions About Juvenile Curfew Laws? Ask an Attorney
When cities struggle with public outcry over civil rights issues or natural disasters, they often pass and enforce curfew laws. Although the preceding list focuses on juvenile curfew laws in big cities, they exist in cities of all sizes. If you want to know whether these laws apply to you in your city or county, or if you've been charged with a crime, contact a local criminal defense attorney who can offer guidance on your situation and explain your defenses.
