Bristol, PA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours (§ 6-202)
- 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- Who is a minor (§ 6-201)
- Any person under the age of 18
- Special function exemption (§ 6-205)
- Register in advance with the Chief of Police
- Return home after approved function
- Within 1/2 hour after it ends
- Penalty (§ 6-207)
- Fine up to $1,000 plus costs; up to 90 days in default
- Schooltime curfew (§ 6-212)
- Students required to attend school, during the school day
Summary
Bristol Borough bars minors under 18 from remaining, idling, wandering, strolling or playing in any public place, or cruising in a vehicle, between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Exceptions cover minors with a parent or adult custodian, on an emergency errand, on a directed errand or activity, or in legitimate employment. A separate schooltime curfew applies to students of compulsory school age.
It shall be unlawful for any minor to remain, idle, wander, stroll or play in any public place either on foot or to cruise about without a set destination in any vehicle in, about or upon any place in the Borough between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, custodian or other adult person having custody or control of such minor or unless the minor is on an emergency errand or specific business or activity directed or permitted by his parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor or where the presence of such minor is connected with or required by some legitimate employment, trade, profession or occupation.
Full Breakdown
Section 6-202 of the Bristol Borough Code is the nighttime curfew. It is unlawful for any minor to remain, idle, wander, stroll or play in any public place on foot, or to cruise about without a set destination in any vehicle in, about or upon any place in the Borough, between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Section 6-201 defines a minor as any person under the age of 18, and a public place as any street, alley, highway, sidewalk, park, playground or place the general public can resort to, including stores, restaurants, taverns, theaters and the front or immediate area of those places.
The exceptions are accompaniment by a parent, guardian, custodian or other adult having custody or control; an emergency errand; a specific business or activity directed or permitted by the parent or guardian; and presence connected with or required by legitimate employment, trade, profession or occupation. Section 6-205 exempts minors attending a special function of a church, school, club or an event sanctioned by the Bristol Borough Recreation Authority, if the organization registers in advance with the Chief of Police and states the ending time. Those minors must be home within 1/2 hour after the function ends.
Adults carry liability too. Section 6-203 bars anyone operating or in charge of a public place from knowingly permitting minors under 18 to be present during curfew hours, and § 6-204 bars a parent, guardian or custodian from suffering or permitting, or by inefficient control allowing, a minor to be on streets or public property in those hours.
Under § 6-206 an officer ascertains the minor's name and address, warns the minor, directs the minor home and reports to the Chief of Police, who notifies the parents. A minor who refuses the warning, gives no correct name, or was warned before is taken to the Police Department, and the parent is called to take charge; if none can be found, the minor is released to the juvenile authorities. Section 6-212 adds a schooltime curfew for students required to attend school.
Violations & Fines
Section 6-207 punishes a violation on conviction before a magisterial district judge with a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment, imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense. Under § 6-213, a student cited under the schooltime curfew and the parent or guardian must appear at a hearing, and the judge can order community service for a period not to exceed six months. Under § 6-214, a convicted parent can be ordered to complete a parenting education program in lieu of any fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is curfew for minors in Bristol Borough?
What exceptions does the Bristol Borough curfew allow?
Are parents liable when a minor breaks curfew in Bristol Borough?
What happens when police stop a minor after curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bristol
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