Indianapolis, IN Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Ages 15-17 curfew
- 11pm-5am weeknights; 1am-5am weekends
- Under-15 curfew
- 11pm-5am every night
- Public-safety advance
- Up to 2 hrs earlier, expires in 120 days
- Enforcement
- Complaints go to Marion Superior Court Juvenile Division
- Parental liability
- Sec. 381-108, second offense presumed
- Legal authority
- IC 31-37-3-4 and IC 34-28-5-1
Summary
Marion County bars kids 15 to 17 from public places between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on school nights, and 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends, under Code Sec. 381-101. Children under 15 face an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew every night under Sec. 381-102. Parents and guardians can be held liable for repeat violations.
It is unlawful for a child fifteen (15), sixteen (16), or seventeen (17) years of age to be in a public place in the county at any time during the following curfew hours: (1)Between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday;(2)After 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday; or(3)Before 5:00 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Marion County's curfew ordinance, Code Sec. m. m. Monday through Friday. Sec. on any day. The council can tighten these hours further: Secs. m. m. , whenever the standard hours are found unreasonable for public safety; any such advancement is authorized under IC 31-37-3-4 and automatically expires after 120 days absent further council action. Sec. 381-106 exempts a child accompanied by a parent or an adult the parent designates; coming from or going to lawful employment, a school-sanctioned activity, a religious event, or an emergency; engaged in expressive, religious or associational activity protected by law; participating in a supervised nonprofit or government program; acting under a parent's written direction; or traveling interstate between two out-of-state points.
No complaint may be filed unless the officer reasonably believes an offense occurred and no defense applies. Sec. 381-107 routes every curfew complaint to the Juvenile Division of the Marion Superior Court and to the child's parent, guardian or custodian, and lets the court order injunctive relief on top of the fine under Sec. 103-3. Sec. 381-108 makes it separately unlawful for a parent, guardian or custodian to recklessly cause, suffer or allow a curfew violation; a second or subsequent violation by the parent or child creates a presumption of the parent's responsibility.
Violations & Fines
A first curfew complaint in a calendar year goes to the ordinance violations bureau under Chapter 103 with a set civil penalty. A second or later violation is prosecuted under Sec. 103-3, where courts may also issue injunctive relief against further violations. Parents and guardians face their own charge under Sec. 381-108 for recklessly allowing a violation, and a second offense creates a legal presumption that the parent is responsible for the child's conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Indianapolis's curfew for 15-to-17-year-olds?
Is there a separate curfew for younger children?
What exemptions apply to Indianapolis's youth curfew?
Can parents be punished for a child's curfew violation?
Can Indianapolis move curfew hours earlier for public safety?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indianapolis
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