Plymouth County, MA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Criminal curfew
- Struck by SJC
- Case
- Commonwealth v. Weston W.
- Citation
- 455 Mass. 24 (2009)
- Surviving penalty
- Civil fine only
Summary
No Plymouth County town can criminally enforce a juvenile curfew. In Commonwealth v. Weston W., 455 Mass. 24 (2009), the Supreme Judicial Court struck the criminal penalties of a minors' curfew; only civil enforcement such as a fine and parental notice survives.
The criminal processes and punishments provided in the ordinance for curfew violations are not the least restrictive means of accomplishing those purposes, and contradict well-established goals of rehabilitating, not incarcerating, juvenile offenders, and consequently, they are not sufficiently tailored to meet the strict scrutiny standard.
Full Breakdown
Massachusetts counties have no ordinance power, and towns cannot criminally punish a minor for being out late. In Commonwealth v. Weston W., 455 Mass. 24 (2009), the Supreme Judicial Court held that criminal enforcement of a juvenile curfew fails strict scrutiny because it is not the least restrictive means and undercuts the goal of rehabilitating rather than incarcerating juveniles. The court left intact only the civil enforcement provisions, such as a modest fine and notice to a parent. So a South Shore town like Brockton may keep a curfew on the books, but police cannot arrest, charge, or commit a minor for violating it. A minor out late in Plymouth, Brockton, or Wareham commits no criminal offense.
Violations & Fines
No town in Plymouth County may charge a minor with a crime for a curfew violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Plymouth County town arrest my teen for curfew?
Is a juvenile curfew still valid in Massachusetts?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plymouth County
Compare Plymouth County to another location·View the Massachusetts curfew laws overview
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