Are Curfew Laws Legal?

We all remember being young and having a curfew set by our parents. You'd be out having fun with your friends and then your curfew would be approaching, so you'd have to cut your fun short and go home. While you may have thought your experience with curfews would end once you moved out of your parents' house, there are still curfew laws that everyone must abide by. In fact, there are a variety of curfew laws, including juvenile curfew laws, emergency curfew laws, and business curfew laws.

Juvenile Curfew Laws

While you probably just followed your parents' curfew rules, many states actually have laws that set curfews for juveniles. These laws are generally enacted by local governments, and are intended to prevent crimes that usually involve juveniles. Of course, there's no need to fret if you're a juvenile who needs to be out past your city or county's curfew because there are exceptions. For example, if there's an emergency, it's usually OK for a juvenile to break curfew laws.

Emergency Curfew Laws

There are times that the local, city, or state government may enact a temporary curfew when there is an emergency, such as extreme weather or a riot. There have been several instances in which extreme weather has led to a curfew. Weather curfews have been implemented when there's a hurricane approaching or when there's extreme winter weather. A curfew based on weather -- or any other emergency -- is meant to keep people safe, so even if it may be inconvenient, it's best to take such curfews seriously.

Business Curfew Laws

Some jurisdictions also impose curfews on businesses. These types of curfews are usually enacted in high-crime or densely-populated areas, and are meant to prevent people from gathering in certain places. Needless to say, cities that do have business curfews provide an exemption for late-night businesses such as bars, clubs, or pharmacies.

Related Resources:

• Find Criminal Defense Lawyers Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
• Curfew Laws (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• When Should You Text 911 for an Emergency? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)