The City of Napa enforces a juvenile nighttime curfew through Chapter 9.16 (Anti-Loitering) of the Napa Municipal Code. It is unlawful for any person under 18 to loiter in any public place between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., except when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult with care and custody, or when returning directly home from a meeting, entertainment, recreational activity, dance, or work. Violations are misdemeanors handled under juvenile court law. California Penal Code Section 625b authorizes municipal curfews and brief detention to identify the minor and contact a parent.
Napa Municipal Code Chapter 9.16 (Anti-Loitering), within Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare), makes it unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to loiter in any public place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the day immediately following. The chapter excepts (1) a minor accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult with care and custody, and (2) a minor returning directly home from a meeting, entertainment, recreational activity, dance, or place of employment. The chapter expressly states that any minor under 18 found in violation shall be apprehended and taken to the proper detention ward for minors and detained there until the arrival of the parent, guardian, or other appropriate person. A violation is classified as a misdemeanor, with the minor 'dealt with in accordance with juvenile court law and procedure,' meaning the matter is referred to Napa County Juvenile Court rather than charged as an adult misdemeanor. California Penal Code Section 625b authorizes local curfew enforcement and provides constitutional cover for brief detention to determine identity and contact a parent. The U.S. Ninth Circuit upheld California-style curfews in Nunez v. City of San Diego, 114 F.3d 935, when they include exceptions for parental supervision, work, school, and First Amendment activity. Daytime truancy is separately regulated under Education Code Section 48264 and Welfare and Institutions Code Section 625.5.
Curfew violations in the City of Napa are classified as misdemeanors under Chapter 9.16, but minors are processed through Napa County Juvenile Court rather than adult criminal court. The ordinance authorizes Napa Police to apprehend a violating minor and detain the minor at the appropriate juvenile detention facility until a parent or guardian arrives. California Penal Code Section 625b independently authorizes brief detention for identification and parental contact. Typical dispositions include parental notification, infraction-style fines, mandatory diversion programming, or community service; repeat offenders may face referral to the Napa County Probation Department's juvenile diversion track.
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