San Joaquin County, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

San Joaquin County and incorporated cities enforce nighttime and daytime juvenile curfews under authority of California Welfare & Institutions Code §625.5 and local ordinance. The countywide nighttime curfew for minors under 18 in unincorporated areas runs 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM Friday, Saturday, and preceding holidays. Stockton and Lodi impose additional daytime curfews during school hours (typically 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM on school days) aimed at truancy reduction; Stockton's is codified in Stockton Municipal Code Chapter 9.50. Recognized exceptions include: accompanied by parent or guardian, traveling directly to/from lawful employment, attending a supervised event, responding to an emergency, exercising First Amendment rights (attending religious services, political rally), or running a reasonable errand with parental permission. Enforcement involves a citation to the minor and often a parental-responsibility citation — parents who knowingly allow violations face fines and a duty to attend parenting workshops. Repeat violators are referred to SJ County Probation and potentially juvenile court under WIC §601.