Newark, DE Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Unincorporated New Castle County does not enforce a general juvenile curfew by county ordinance. Curfew enforcement in the county primarily occurs within incorporated cities, most notably the City of Wilmington, which has maintained a youth curfew for decades. Wilmington's curfew generally applies to minors under 17, typically 11 PM to 6 AM Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 AM Friday and Saturday (exact hours set by city code and periodically updated by City Council ordinance). Exemptions include minors traveling to or from work, returning directly home from school events, emergencies, and those accompanied by a parent or guardian. The City of Newark, home to University of Delaware, has a curfew for minors under 18 during school hours (daytime truancy) and limited overnight provisions. Delaware Family Court handles juvenile status offenses under 10 Del.C. Chapter 9 (Juvenile Justice), which can charge minors with curfew violations where a local curfew exists. Parents can be held financially responsible under 10 Del.C. §1009 for juvenile offenses and court-ordered restitution. County police may transport minors home when found unaccompanied late at night but do not have a curfew-specific charging authority in unincorporated areas.