Perth Amboy, NJ Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Chapter 189 of the Perth Amboy City Code, the Curfew Ordinance of the City of Perth Amboy (Ord. No. 234-80, amended in its entirety 12-1-1992 by Ord. No. 653-92), defines a minor as any person under seventeen (17). Under § 189-3 A, a person twelve (12) or fewer years of age cannot be in or on the streets within the City of Perth Amboy from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with the curfew starting at 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. A person sixteen (16) or fewer years of age is barred from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., starting at 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Section 189-2 defines street broadly to include the legal right-of-way, sidewalks, the Boardwalk, shopping areas, parking lots, public buildings and similar areas open to the public. Time of night follows Eastern standard or daylight time as observed by the public, with the police station clock as the prima facie measure.

Section 189-3 B lists five exceptions: a minor accompanied by a parent, a minor accompanied by an adult a parent has authorized, a minor exercising First Amendment rights who carries a signed written communication saying when, where and how the minor will be out, a minor no more than fifty (50) feet from the minor's place of residence, and a minor carrying an employment certificate or work permit under state law who is en route to or from employment.

Section 189-4 makes it unlawful for a parent or custodian knowingly to permit, or by inefficient control to allow, a minor to be on a city street outside an exception. Knowingly includes what a parent should reasonably be expected to know about the minor's whereabouts. Under § 189-5 police take the juvenile to the police station and call a parent or guardian. A first offense brings a formal warning served on the parent or guardian, and a second offender is served a nonindictable summons. If no parent or guardian can be found, the matter goes to Middlesex County juvenile authorities. Section 189-7 has the Deputy Chief of Police post notice of the chapter in public and quasipublic places.