Juvenile Curfew: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do juvenile curfew rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
Mountain View and San Jose have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Mountain View's curfew ordinance generally prohibits minors under 18 from being in public between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. without a parent or qualifying exception. Daytime school-hours curfew also applies.
View full Mountain View rules βSan Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose prohibits minors under 18 from being in public places between 11:30 PM and 5:00 AM Sunday through Thursday, with the same overnight window applied Friday and Saturday. Exceptions include parental accompaniment, employment, and school or religious events. The city emphasizes diversion over citation for first-time offenders.
View full San Jose rules βKey Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime hours | 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. | - |
| Daytime hours | During school hours on school days | - |
| Age | Under 18 | - |
| Key exceptions | Parent, work, school event, emergency | - |
| Max fine | Up to 250 dollars | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can a 17-year-old drive home from work after 11 p.m.?
Yes. Travel directly to or from lawful employment is an exception to the Mountain View curfew ordinance.
What happens on a first curfew violation?
A first offense is usually handled with a warning and parental notification. Repeat offenses can lead to citations, fines, and diversion programs.
San Jose FAQ
What time is the curfew in San Jose?
Minors under 18 cannot be in public places between 11:30 PM and 5:00 AM, seven nights a week.
What age does the curfew apply to?
All minors under the age of 18 within San Jose city limits.
What happens to a first-time offender?
San Jose typically refers first-time offenders to a diversion program through the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force rather than issuing a citation.
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