Lawrence, KS Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- §§ 14-801-14-803, Lawrence City Code
- Weeknight curfew
- 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sun-Thu nights
- Weekend curfew
- 12:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Fri/Sat nights
- Exception
- Accompanied by parent/guardian or authorized errand
- Penalty
- $10.00-$100.00 fine or up to 30 days jail
Summary
In the City of Lawrence, anyone under 18 may not wander, loiter or play on a public street, alley, sidewalk, vacant lot or other public place during curfew hours, generally 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on school nights and 12:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on weekend early mornings, under City Code §§ 14-801 through 14-803, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
It shall be unlawful for any child under the age of 18 years to wander, lounge, loaf, loiter or play in, about, or upon any public street, alley, sidewalk, vacant lot, public place or other place normally accessible to the general public for public use, whether on foot, or in a vehicle or by any means, during the hours of curfew which are hereby specified for each day of each week as provided, to wit: (a)11:00 p.m. Monday to 6:00 a.m. Tuesday;(b)11:00 p.m. Tuesday to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday;(c)11:00 p.m. Wednesday to 6:00 a.m. Thursday;(d)11:00 p.m. Thursday to 6:00 a.m. Friday;(e)12:30 a.m. Saturday to 6:00 a.m. Saturday;(f)12:30 a.m. Sunday to 6:00 a.m. Sunday;(g)11:00 p.m. Sunday to 6:00 a.m. Monday; ... Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $100.00 or by imprisonment for a time not to exceed 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Full Breakdown
m. m. m. Monday. During those hours, no child under 18 may wander, lounge, loaf, loiter or play on a public street, alley, sidewalk, vacant lot or other public place normally open to the public, whether on foot, in a vehicle or by any other means, unless a parent, legal guardian or other person with legal custody is present. The ordinance carves out kids traveling the most direct route between home and an authorized place of employment, entertainment or attendance, but "authorized" requires the parent or guardian to have approved the errand in advance.
Section 14-802 puts a parallel duty on the adult: a parent, guardian or other person legally responsible for a child under 18 may not suffer, permit or allow the child to violate the curfew hours set in § 14-801. Both sections sit in Chapter 14's Article VIII, enforced by the Lawrence Police Department, and § 14-803 sets one shared penalty for the whole article rather than separate fines for the child and the adult.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the juvenile curfew, whether by the child under § 14-801 or by the responsible parent or guardian under § 14-802, is punished under § 14-803 by a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $100.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both. That range is lower than the Code's default general penalty because Article VIII sets its own dedicated fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Lawrence juvenile curfew start on weekends?
Can a teenager be out after curfew for a job?
Can parents be charged if their child breaks curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
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