Gary, IN Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew age
- 17 and under
- Sun-Thu hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- Summer weekday hours (Jun 15-Aug 31)
- 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- Parent liability
- Parent chargeable for knowing violation
- Police response
- Officer takes minor into custody
Summary
Gary bars minors 17 and under from streets, alleys, vehicles or public places from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and overnight Friday and Saturday, with slightly later summer weekday hours from June 15 to August 31. Parents who knowingly allow a violation can be charged too.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any minor child the age of 17 years of age and under to be on any street or alley or to loiter on any street or alley or to be in any motor vehicle or public place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between the hours of 12:00 midnight to 5:00 p.m. each Friday and Saturday (this time period shall also include the Fridays and Saturdays during the summer hours from June 15 to August 31). During the period of June 15 to August 31, the curfew hours during the weekday shall be 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. of the following day. ... (d)It is unlawful for any parent, guardian, or other person having lawful care and custody of a minor to knowingly permit the minor child to violate the provisions of this section and said parent, guardian, or other adult person having lawful care or custody may be held chargeable for such offense.
Full Breakdown
Gary Municipal Code § 28-2(a) sets curfew hours for any minor age 17 or under: no minor may be on any street or alley, loiter on a street or alley, or be in a motor vehicle or public place between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, or during the overnight Friday-Saturday window, which the code extends through the summer months of June 15 to August 31. During that same summer stretch, weekday curfew hours shift to 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following day.
The city adopts IC 31-37-3-1 by reference and exempts minors accompanied by a parent, guardian or custodian, minors accompanied by an adult designated by a parent or guardian, and minors going to, from, or participating in lawful employment, a sanctioned school or sport activity, or a religious event, per § 28-2(b). Employed minors out during curfew hours must carry current proof of employment on their person under § 28-2(c). Section 28-2(e) directs any police officer who finds a minor violating the curfew to take the minor into custody, then, unless the city court orders otherwise, accept a written promise from the parent or guardian to bring the child to city court at a set time.
Violations & Fines
Section 28-2(d) makes it unlawful for a parent, guardian or other person with lawful care and custody of a minor to knowingly permit that minor to violate the curfew, and that adult may be charged for the offense. Because no separate curfew penalty is listed in Chapter 28, violations fall under the Code's general penalty provision, Gary Municipal Code § 1-7, which sets a fine of up to $2,500.00 for a first offense and up to $7,500.00 for a second or subsequent offense, with each continuing day treated as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is curfew for minors in Gary, Indiana?
Can a Gary minor be out past curfew for work or school activities?
Can a parent be charged if their child breaks Gary's curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gary
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