Lakewood's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Lakewood, New Jersey, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Juvenile Curfew

Lakewood Township, Ocean County, New Jersey, bars parents and guardians from letting a child under 17 be out on public streets or other public places between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult the parent has approved.

Key details: Governing section: Township Code § 3-2. Curfew hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Covered ages: Up to 17 years old. Liable party: Parent or guardian, not the minor. Maximum fine: $1,000 (§ 1-5.1).

A parent or guardian violating § 3-2 is prosecuted in Lakewood Township Municipal Court under the Chapter 1 General Penalty, § 1-5.1: a fine up to $1,000, up to 90 days in the county jail, or up to 90 days of community service, at the Municipal Court Judge's discretion. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense under § 1-5.5.

Park Curfew

Lakewood Township parks stay open every day but only during hours posted at each individual park, set by resolution of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Environmental Commission or Township Committee under Code § 8-5.1. The Board can also close any section of a park temporarily or on a recurring schedule, and playgrounds carry a fixed 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew.

Key details: Parks open: Every day, posted hours. Hours set by: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Playground curfew: 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Governing section: Code § 8-5.1. General penalty: Up to $1,000 fine, 90 days.

Chapter 8's catch-all penalty at § 8-13.3 subjects anyone who violates the park hours rule, or any other Chapter 8 provision, to the general penalty in Code § 1-5.1: a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 90 days, or up to 90 days of community service, enforced by Park Police, park superintendents or any Police Officer.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood's curfew laws rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Lakewood's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.