Chesapeake, VA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Sec. 46-7 sets Chesapeake's juvenile curfew to reduce youth crime and victimization and to reinforce parental responsibility. m. for minors 16 and 17. During those hours, subsection (c) makes it unlawful for a minor to remain in any public place, in a parked or operating motor vehicle, or on the premises of any business establishment, unless one of eight listed exceptions applies: the minor is with a parent; facing an emergency; commuting to or from a job; standing on the sidewalk directly outside where they live with a parent; attending an adult-supervised school, religious, civic, or public-agency activity; running a parent-authorized errand with a signed note listing the errand, destination, and authorized hours; traveling interstate through the city; or exercising First Amendment rights.

Subsection (d) makes it unlawful for a parent to knowingly permit, allow, or encourage a violation, subsection (e) does the same for a vehicle owner or operator, and subsection (f) holds an establishment's operator or employee liable for knowingly letting a minor stay past curfew, though promptly calling police about a minor who refuses to leave is a defense. Officers must investigate before enforcing, and under subsection (h) can release the minor to a parent, place the minor briefly in a temporary care facility, or, if no parent can be reached, turn the minor over to the juvenile and domestic relations court. Every violation, including giving a false name to an investigating officer, is a Class 4 misdemeanor under subsection (i).