Bethlehem's Codified Ordinances impose a juvenile curfew on minors under 18 in public places, generally during late-night hours, with standard exceptions for parents, employment, supervised school or religious activities, and emergencies. Bethlehem Police enforce citywide across the Lehigh and Northampton County portions.
Bethlehem's juvenile curfew is set in the Codified Ordinances. Minors under 18 may not remain on public streets, alleys, parks, or other public places within the City during curfew hours, subject to the standard set of exceptions: accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; traveling directly to or from lawful employment; attending or coming directly home from an adult-supervised school, religious, or civic activity; or responding to a genuine emergency. Confirm current exact hours in the Code. Bethlehem Police may detain a suspected violator and transport the minor home, to police headquarters, or to a designated juvenile shelter. Parents who knowingly permit violations may also be cited. PA juvenile-court procedure under 42 Pa.C.S. §6301 et seq. controls any referral.
A first violation typically brings a written citation in MDJ Court; subsequent violations escalate, and parents who knowingly permit violations face fines too. Repeat patterns may trigger Lehigh or Northampton County juvenile probation involvement. The minor is not booked into adult detention for a curfew offense alone.
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