The other night, my parents had the news on when I heard a segment on teenage curfews. An officer was warning parents that with the summer vacations here, teens had a lot of time in hand and with the excuse of not having school the next morning, went out to parties or hang out with friends late at night. The segment grasped my attention and listened with intrigue. The officer then proceeded to inform of the lawfully imposed curfews for minors under 18. A wreath of question marks circled around my head at the statement. We still have law imposed curfews?
During War World II, curfews were imposed to control teens while parents were occupied with war effort. The juvenile curfews reemerged in the 1970s as a response of the rising juvenile crime at the time.
Now in 2017, curfews continue to exist despite the changes in society. Curfews vary from state to state, and town to town since they are implemented locally. In some states, police officer apply curfews during the summer or during a time when juvenile crime is escalating.
The local implemented curfews allows the police to stop and question teens who are wandering the streets late at night. Chilling in the park with friends and late night snacks sounds quite nice for a summer night memory;however, if seen by an officer, you can be approached and questioned. They might as what you are doing out at such time and ask whether your parents or guardians are aware of your whereabouts –although parents permission does not justify breaking curfew.
Parents can be cited with misdemeanor if they allow their children out past the established curfew.
This sounds like a down right buzz killer for summer night adventures. Summer is the time to have fun and enjoy late night parties and sharing last minute drive thru junk food at the nearest bench with friends. The sole purpose of this curfew, however, is not to suck the fun out of your summer, but to insure safety and maintain social order.
Underage drinking rises during the summer due to the freedom they have to attend parties more regularly when they are out of school. It has been reported that the number of adolescents consuming alcohol for the first time are higher in the months of June and July.
By keeping teens out of the streets at a reasonable time, they intend to reduce underage drinking, juvenile crime, and accidents.
Though the curfews can vary from state to state, click here to check.
In places such as Arizona, teens under 16 are not allowed to roam the streets between 10 p.m and 5 a.m the next morning.
And minors of 16-18 are not allowed out between midnight and 5 a.m the next morning.
There are a few exceptions for curfew such as:
- Minor is accompanied by parent/guardian.
- An emergency.
- Minor is traveling from work to home (home to work).
- Religion activities.
The punishments of breaking curfew can vary from a warning, to a fine, to being detained in jail or restriction of driving license.
Summers are made to enjoy the long days. Have fun during the day and avoid getting fined for breaking curfew, it really isn’t worth it. Staying out late might sound fun and exciting, but it won’t be if you get caught and are charged a fine or restricted of your driving license.
Be aware, stay safe during the summer, and don’t get in trouble for breaking curfew if you are a minor.
