Ouachita Parish, LA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew age
- Under 17 years old
- Sun-Thu hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- Fri-Sat hours
- Midnight to 5:00 a.m.
- Parent penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 30 days jail
- Coverage area
- Unincorporated Ouachita Parish only
- Enacted by
- Ordinance No. 8899, Sept. 8, 2008
Summary
Minors under 17 may not be in public in unincorporated Ouachita Parish between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday, or between midnight and 5:00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sec. 15-20 also makes it unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly let a minor break curfew.
It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to be or remain in or upon any public property or public place in the unincorporated area of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, or otherwise be out in public and away from home in a boat, motor vehicle or other vehicle in the parish outside municipalities, Monday through Thursday between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. (midnight) and 5:00 a.m. of the following day.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 15-20(a)(1), enacted by Ordinance No. on Friday and Saturday nights. Subsection (a)(3) defines 'public property' or 'public place' broadly to include roads, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, stores, restaurants, shopping centers, cemeteries, schoolyards and parking lots open to the general public, but it specifically excludes the sidewalk or unimproved road right-of-way directly abutting the minor's own residence. Exceptions in subsection (b) cover a minor accompanied by a parent or other adult with custody, a minor on an emergency errand, one returning directly home from a supervised civic, religious or school activity by the shortest route, or one traveling directly to or from legitimate paid employment.
Subsection (a)(2) separately makes it unlawful for a parent, guardian or custodian to knowingly permit a minor to violate the curfew. , rather than through adult criminal court.
Violations & Fines
A minor who violates the curfew is processed under Louisiana juvenile law rather than fined directly under the parish code. A parent, guardian or custodian convicted of knowingly permitting the violation faces a separate misdemeanor charge under Sec. 15-20(a)(2), punishable by a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the curfew hours for minors in unincorporated Ouachita Parish?
Are there exceptions to the parish curfew?
Can a parent be punished for a curfew violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ouachita Parish
Compare Ouachita Parish to another location·View the Louisiana curfew laws overview
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