El Cajon, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Applies to
- Anyone under 18
- Adult liability
- Knowing or insufficiently controlled violation
- Infraction penalty
- Up to $250 fine
- Misdemeanor penalty
- Up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine
- Exceptions
- 11 listed in § 9.80.050
Summary
El Cajon bars anyone under 18 from public places between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. under Municipal Code Section 9.80.030, and holds a responsible adult liable for knowingly letting a minor break curfew. Violators face up to a $250 infraction fine or, as a misdemeanor, six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
"Curfew hours"means the hours between ten (10:00) p.m. and six (6:00) a.m. of the following day. ... No minor shall be present in any public place during curfew hours. ... No responsible adult shall knowingly permit, or by insufficient control to allow, a minor to be present in any public place during curfew hours. ... Any person convicted of an infraction for violating this Chapter may be punished by a fine not exceeding $250 or by a requirement to perform county or city approved work projects or community service or both. ... Any person convicted of a misdemeanor for violating this Chapter may be punished by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of time not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding $1000, or both.
Full Breakdown
the following day and defines "public place" broadly to include public rights-of-way, dedicated open or trail space, and privately owned unsupervised land open to the public such as vacant lots, school parking lots, apartment common areas, and shopping centers. 040 makes it unlawful for a responsible adult, meaning a parent, guardian, or adult at least 21 with custody of the minor, to knowingly permit or, through insufficient control, allow that. 050 lists eleven affirmative defenses: being accompanied by a responsible adult; traveling to or from employment; handling an emergency; being at a public place next to the minor's own residence; being at or going to and from a business open to the public without detour; attending a supervised school, religious, or recreational activity sponsored by the city or a similar organization; running an errand at a responsible adult's direction without detour; traveling in a vehicle involved in interstate travel; exercising First Amendment rights; being legally emancipated; or traveling without detour between any of those activities and home. 060 makes each violation a separate offense, prosecutable as a misdemeanor or infraction, with minors handled under juvenile court procedure.
Violations & Fines
An infraction conviction under Chapter 9.80 is punishable by a fine not exceeding $250, or by county- or city-approved work projects or community service, or both, under Section 9.80.060(C). A misdemeanor conviction is punishable by up to six months in county jail, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both, under Section 9.80.060(D), and each night's violation counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does El Cajon's juvenile curfew start and end?
Can a parent be punished for a teen breaking curfew?
Are there exceptions to El Cajon's curfew?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Cajon
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