Oakland County, MI Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Under 12 state curfew
- 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. (MCL 722.751)
- Under 16 state curfew
- 12:00 midnight – 6:00 a.m. (MCL 722.752)
- Parent liability
- Misdemeanor (MCL 722.753)
- Court
- Oakland County Circuit Court. Family Division
- Common local add-on
- 11 p.m. school night for 16–17 year olds
Summary
Michigan state law sets a baseline juvenile curfew that applies countywide in Oakland County. Under MCL 722.751, no child under 12 may loiter, idle, or congregate on any public street, highway, alley, or park between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and under MCL 722.752, no minor under 16 may do the same between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Exceptions exist for minors accompanied by a parent, guardian, or adult designated by them, or who are on a legitimate errand directed by the parent. Most Oakland County municipalities, including Troy, Royal Oak, Pontiac, Farmington Hills, Madison Heights, and Oakland Charter Township, supplement the state law with local ordinances that often set a stricter weeknight curfew. Violators are referred to the Oakland County Circuit Court – Family Division (juvenile court).
A minor under the age of 16 years shall not loiter, idle or congregate in or on any public street, highway, alley or park between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m., except where the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or some adult delegated by the parent or guardian to accompany the child, or where the minor is upon an errand or other legitimate business directed by such parent or guardian.
Full Breakdown
Michigan's Curfew for Children Act (Public Act 41 of 1960, MCL 722.751–722.754) is enforceable everywhere in Oakland County and operates as the statewide floor. Section 722.751 covers children under 12, prohibiting them from public streets, highways, alleys, and parks between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Section 722.752 covers minors under 16, prohibiting the same conduct between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. Section 722.753 makes it a misdemeanor for any person age 16 or older to assist, aid, abet, allow, permit, or encourage a minor under 16 to violate the curfew, the parental-responsibility provision.
Many Oakland County local ordinances add a 12-and-under provision that mirrors state law and an under-18 provision that extends curfew to 17-year-olds, often making it 11:00 p.m. on school nights and 12:00 a.m. on weekends. Charter Township of Oakland's Article XIV explicitly makes it an offense for a minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the Township during curfew hours, and a separate offense for the parent or guardian to knowingly permit it. Troy's Chapter 91 layers a 10:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m. rule for children under 12 on top of the under-16 midnight rule, with prosecutions routed to the Oakland County Family Court.
Violations & Fines
A juvenile found violating curfew is most often released to a parent at the scene with a citation that sends the case to the Oakland County Circuit Court – Family Division. A parent or guardian who knowingly permits, or by inadequate control allows, the curfew violation is guilty of a misdemeanor under MCL 722.753, punishable by fines and up to 90 days in jail under the general state penalty provision. Local Oakland County ordinances frequently add civil infraction fines of $50–$500 on the parent for repeat violations and may require parenting classes. Officers can detain the minor only long enough to transport them home or to a parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exact curfew hours in Oakland County?
What are the exceptions?
Can parents be charged if their child is caught?
What court handles juvenile curfew tickets in Oakland County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oakland County
Compare Oakland County to another location·View the Michigan curfew laws overview
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