Freehold Township, NJ Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 127-1, Halloween Curfew article
- Curfew dates
- October 28 through November 1 only
- Curfew hours
- 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Covers
- Anyone under 18 in public places
- Companion rule
- Masks banned during curfew hours (§ 127-2)
- Parental liability
- Parents can be cited under § 127-3
- Max penalty
- $2,000 fine or 90 days (§ 1-3)
Summary
Freehold Township's curfew is not a year-round rule: it applies only during the five-day Halloween period, October 28 through November 1, when anyone under 18 must be off public streets and properties between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless a specific exception applies.
§ 127-1. Curfew established; restrictions. ... [Amended 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. O-07-25] No person under the age of 18 shall be permitted in any public place, street or property in the Township between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of each and every day during the period from October 28 to November 1, inclusive, of each year unless such person shall during such hours be returning home from work, night school, fraternity or house of worship or school meetings or en route to or returning from a doctor's or dentist's office where treatment is to be rendered or has been rendered, or is accompanied by his parent or guardian over 20 years old.
Full Breakdown
Section 127-1 of the Freehold Township Code, adopted originally in 1970 and last amended September 25, 2007 by Ord. No. of each and every day during the period from October 28 to November 1, inclusive, of each year. The window is deliberately narrow, five specific calendar days tied to Halloween, not an everyday curfew, and it comes with built-in exceptions for minors returning from work, night school, a fraternity or house of worship, or school meetings, minors traveling to or from a doctor's or dentist's appointment, and any minor accompanied by a parent or guardian over 20 years old.
The same article adds a companion rule at § 127-2: during those restricted hours, no person of any age may wear a mask or partial mask in any public place, street or property in the Township, a measure clearly aimed at Halloween-specific mischief and vandalism rather than general curfew enforcement. Section 127-3 extends liability to parents: a parent, guardian, or anyone standing in loco parentis who permits, consents to, approves or allows a minor to violate the curfew is separately guilty of violating the article.
Violations & Fines
Section 127-4 punishes violations of the Halloween curfew and mask ban under Chapter 1, Article II's General Penalty. Under § 1-3, that means a fine up to $2,000, imprisonment up to 90 days, or community service up to 90 days, and the exposure applies separately to a violating minor and to a parent who knowingly allowed the violation under § 127-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Freehold Township have a year-round curfew for teenagers?
What are the Halloween curfew hours and who does it cover?
Can I wear a Halloween mask outside during curfew hours?
Can parents be cited if their kid breaks curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Freehold Township
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle juvenile curfew.