Hanford, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., every night
- Who is covered
- Any minor under 18
- Penalty
- Infraction; separate offense per day
- Statutory exceptions
- Nine, incl. work, school, errands, emergencies
- Parent/guardian liability
- Liable for knowing or negligent violation
- Pre-citation duty
- Officer must check age and reason first
- Minor's court venue
- Juvenile court law and procedure
Summary
Minors under 18 may not be in any public place or on the premises of a business open to the public within Hanford, Kings County, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. any night of the week, under Hanford Municipal Code § 9.08.020. Parents and guardians who knowingly permit, or through insufficient control allow, a minor's presence during those hours are also liable, subject to nine defined exceptions.
"Curfew hours" means the period from 10:00 p.m. any evening of the week until 6:00 a.m. the following day. ... A. It is unlawful for any minor to be present in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city of Hanford during curfew hours. B. It is unlawful for any parent having custody and control of a minor or a guardian of a minor knowingly to permit, or by insufficient control, to allow a minor to be present in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city of Hanford during curfew hours.
Full Breakdown
010). 020(A)). 020(B)). Subsection C lists nine exceptions: the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian or an authorized responsible adult; running an errand at a parent's or guardian's direction with no unrelated detour; traveling in a vehicle on an interstate or long-distance intrastate trip (over 100 miles within California); going to, from, or engaged in employment; responding to an emergency; standing on the sidewalk abutting the minor's own residence; attending or traveling to/from an official school, religious, or city-, civic- or religious-sponsored recreational activity supervised by adults; exercising First Amendment rights while accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult; or being an emancipated minor under California law. 020(D)). The chapter traces to Ord. 02.
Violations & Fines
Any violation of Chapter 9.08 is an infraction under § 9.08.030, with each day or part of a day the violation continues or is permitted charged as a separate offense. Minors cited for curfew violations are not run through adult criminal court; the section directs that they "be dealt with in accordance with juvenile court law and procedure." Officers must first try to confirm the minor's age and reason for being out under § 9.08.020(D) before citing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Hanford's juvenile curfew start and end?
Can my teenager be out after curfew for work or a school event?
Are parents liable if their child is caught out after curfew?
What happens if my child is cited for a curfew violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hanford
California rules heatmap·Compare Hanford to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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