Legal Advice on Curfews

In many states, children have legal curfews they must adhere to; and many parents are asking what time their child is legally supposed to be off the streets. The law in some states stipulates that a child must be at home after 10 PM, while other states allow children to stay out until midnight. It is always wise to check the state you live to make sure what time your child should be inside the home to avoid problems.

There are ongoing issues pertaining to curfews; however, under the First Amendment, curfews are the legal right to have access to the public until a particular time. Time is one of the biggest arguments when it comes to curfew and laws. If a child is found breaking the curfew, it could lead to fines and court costs; and if the action continues, it could lead to bigger problems. Thus, the best advice for curfew laws is to learn what the laws require in your state and adhere to the laws to the best of your ability.

The laws are constantly changing each year–some tightening and others loosening--thus, keeping up with the changes in your local area can protect you and your child from an accidental infraction. Although I disagree with the twelve o’clock curfew in few states, I advise parents to enforce their own curfew, since sometimes the law is not always right. Predators roam the streets at night and day, which means your children may not be safe at any time, but late hours are the worst time for a child to be on the streets; furthermore, even if the laws are wrong, you are the one that will pay if your child violates the law, which is why you must learn the laws and ensure your child complies with them.