Newark, NJ Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- Distance limit from home
- Not more than 100 yards
- First offense
- Written warning, released to parent
- Parent/guardian fine
- $100 to $1,000
- Minor's penalty
- Up to 90 days community service
Summary
Newark bars anyone under 18 from being out in public, or more than 100 yards from home, between 11:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or on a genuine emergency errand. Parents who knowingly allow a violation face their own fine.
It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in, or remain in or be upon the public streets, highways, roads, public places and public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, public transportation facility, public vehicles used for transportation, vacant lots or other public places within the confines of the City or to be more than 100 yards from his or her place of residence between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. of the following day.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5019615; v61 updated 2026-06-17; through 06-17-2026).
Full Breakdown
the following day. The curfew does not apply to a minor accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult with care or custody of the minor, or to a minor on a genuine emergency errand directed by that adult, defined narrowly as an errand required to preserve someone's life. m. 2 separately makes it unlawful for a parent, guardian or other adult with care of a minor to knowingly permit the same curfew violation, and adds a school-hours rule: a parent cannot let a minor be in a public place during school hours unless officially excused, and a business owner or employee cannot knowingly let a minor remain on the premises during school hours under the same exception. 3, released to a parent or guardian, and given a written warning. 5 to have known of the pattern.
Violations & Fines
A minor found in violation faces up to 90 days of community service under § 20:2-4.6. A parent, guardian or other adult with custody who is found responsible faces a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, and may also be ordered to perform up to 90 days of community service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Newark's curfew hours for minors?
Can a Newark parent be fined for a child's curfew violation?
What happens the first time a minor is caught violating Newark's curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newark
Compare Newark to another location·View the New Jersey curfew laws overview
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