Hawthorne, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

the following day. 020(A) makes it unlawful for any minor, defined as anyone under eighteen, to be present in any public place or on the premises of a privately owned business open to the public during those hours. Subsection (B) extends liability to a parent or guardian who knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to be out during curfew. Subsection (C) lists nine defenses: the minor was accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult; on a direct errand at a parent's or guardian's direction; in a vehicle on interstate travel; going to or from employment without a detour; involved in an emergency; on the sidewalk abutting their own residence; at an official school, religious or recreational activity sponsored by the city or a similar organization; exercising First Amendment rights; or legally emancipated.

Subsection (D) requires an officer to ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being out before taking enforcement action, and bars issuing a citation or arrest unless the officer reasonably believes an offense occurred and no defense applies. Each violation is a separate offense under subsection (E). 75, lets the city or district attorney pursue a parent or guardian civilly, up to $2,500 per violation, for failing to exercise reasonable supervision over a minor who violates curfew.