Memphis, TN Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Ages 17–18, weeknights
- 11:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
- Ages 17–18, weekends
- Midnight–6:00 a.m.
- Ages 16 and under, weeknights
- 10:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
- Ages 16 and under, weekends
- 11:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
- Employment exception
- 45 min. before/after shift, with proof
- Parent penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $50 per offense
- Minor disposition
- Unruly act, T.C.A. Title 37
Summary
Memphis bars minors from public streets, parks and other public places late at night: 17- and 18-year-olds face an 11 p.m. cutoff on weeknights (midnight weekends), while minors 16 and under face 10 p.m. weeknights and 11 p.m. weekends, all until 6 a.m. Nine listed exceptions cover work, school events and parental errands.
A. It is unlawful for any minor between 17 and 18 years of age to remain in or upon any public street, highway, park, vacant lot, establishment or other public place within the city during the following time frames: 1. Monday through Thursday between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; 2. Friday through Sunday between the hours of 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. B. It is unlawful for any minor 16 years of age and under to remain in or upon any public street, highway, park, vacant lot, establishment or other public place within the city during the following time frames: 1. Monday through Thursday between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; 2. Friday through Sunday between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Charter: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Memphis Code § 10-28-4 sets two age-based curfew tiers. m. m. Friday through Sunday. m. m. Friday through Sunday. ); documented reasonable necessity communicated to police in advance; exercising First Amendment rights after written notice to the mayor's office; and interstate travel with parental consent. Subsection C makes it unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly, or through inefficient control, allow a minor to violate the curfew, indifference is not a defense. Under subsection E, an officer handling a first-time violation may take the minor home and warn the parents, issue a summons to juvenile court, or take the child into custody for disposition there. A. 00 per offense, with each violation a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
A minor caught violating curfew commits an unruly act, handled through juvenile court under T.C.A. Title 37 rather than as a criminal charge. A parent or guardian who knowingly allows the violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $50.00 per offense under § 10-28-4(F), with each incident treated as a separate offense. Officers may instead return a first-time offender home with a warning under subsection E.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Memphis's curfew hours for 17- and 18-year-olds?
What are the curfew hours for kids 16 and under in Memphis?
Are there exceptions to the Memphis curfew?
What penalty do parents face if a minor breaks curfew in Memphis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
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