Fort Wayne enforces a juvenile curfew aligned with Indiana Code 31-37-3. Children under 15 may not be in public places after 11 PM or before 5 AM. Ages 15-17 may not be in public places from 1 AM to 5 AM Saturday and Sunday, or 11 PM to 5 AM other nights.
Indiana Code 31-37-3-2 establishes statewide curfew hours that apply in Fort Wayne. Under 15: prohibited in public places from 11 PM to 5 AM every night. Ages 15-17: prohibited from 1 AM to 5 AM on Saturday and Sunday mornings; 11 PM to 5 AM Sunday through Thursday nights. The Indiana Supreme Court in Hodgkins v. Peterson (2004) required exceptions for First Amendment activity and other valid reasons. Permitted exceptions include: accompanied by parent or guardian, engaged in lawful employment, returning from school or religious event, responding to emergency, exercising First Amendment rights, or traveling on interstate highway. Fort Wayne Police enforce through stops and citations, with juveniles typically released to parents. Parental responsibility laws under IC 31-37-19 can impose fines on parents for repeated violations. Fort Wayne has historically enforced curfew actively in downtown and event areas.
Juveniles referred to juvenile court or released to parents. Parents may face civil penalties for repeat violations under IC 31-37-19.
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See how Fort Wayne's juvenile curfew rules stack up against other locations.
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