Curfew Laws

Curfew laws prohibit or limit your right to be out in public at certain times and are intended to maintain a certain level of order and safety in public spaces. Most curfew laws apply only to juveniles under the age of 18, while other curfew laws are enacted temporarily in response to a natural disaster or civil disturbance (and apply to all people in a city or local area), such as when martial law is invoked. This subsection includes articles on common juvenile curfew laws, legal challenges to curfew violation charges, a list of curfew laws in the 25 most populous U.S. cities, and more.

Learn About Curfew Laws

What are Curfew Laws?
General overview of curfew laws in the U.S., which make it illegal to be out in public after a given time and often apply to minors under the age of 18.
Examples of Juvenile Curfew Laws and Penalties
Specific examples of juvenile curfew laws in select cities and districts, including Los Angeles the District of Columbia, plus typical fines and other penalties for violations of the law.

Juvenile Curfew Laws: The Basics
Overview of curfew laws that specifically target minors (typically under 18), including a summary of exempted activities, typically punishments for violations, and the selective enforcement of curfew laws in some jurisdictions.
Legal Challenges to Juvenile Curfew Laws
Brief primer on the various legal challenges that have been made against juvenile curfew laws, often on the basis of state or federal constitutional rights (including the First Amendment).

Curfew Laws Articles