Dothan, AL Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

City Code § 62-68 makes it unlawful for any minor 17 years of age or younger to loiter, wander, stroll or play in public streets, parks, playgrounds, public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, or vacant lots between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, with a later window of 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Six exceptions apply: a minor accompanied by a parent or guardian, an emergency errand directed by a parent, returning directly home from a school activity or dance, going to or from lawful employment, travel connected to First Amendment activity, and riding in a vehicle with parental consent for interstate or intrastate travel through the city.

Section 62-68(b) separately makes it unlawful for a parent, guardian, or other custodian to permit or, through insufficient control, allow a covered minor to be out during curfew hours outside those exceptions. Under Section 62-69, a Dothan police officer who finds a minor violating curfew normally takes the minor to the police station, notifies a parent to come for the minor, and files a written report with the chief of police within 24 hours; if no parent can be located the minor is released to juvenile authorities.

Section 62-67 sets the penalty scheme: a parent receives a warning citation for a first violation, and on further violations is summoned to Dothan Municipal Court where conviction can bring a fine up to $500.00 and/or up to six months in jail. Further violations by the minor are handled in juvenile court under state law, and each violation is a separate offense.