Trenton, NJ Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Trenton Code § 58-3 makes it unlawful for a juvenile, defined in § 58-2 as anyone who has not completed 18 years of life, to be in any public place between 11:59 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. from July 1 through August 31, and between 9:59 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. from September 1 through June 30, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. 'Public place' is defined broadly to include streets, sidewalks, parks, shopping areas, parking lots, and public buildings. Section 58-4 exempts a juvenile who is traveling to or from an authorized job, running an errand involving a medical emergency, attending religious services or approved school, community, or cultural events, or exercising First Amendment rights, provided the juvenile has first filed a written notice with the person designated by the Police Director at Police Division Headquarters describing when, where, and how the First Amendment activity will occur.

Section 58-5 separately makes it unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly permit, or through inefficient control allow, a juvenile in their custody to violate the curfew; the statute defines 'knowingly' to include what a parent reasonably should know, so claimed indifference is not a defense. Under § 58-6, an officer who encounters a juvenile believed to be in violation must notify the juvenile, obtain identifying information, and generally take the juvenile to the police station so a parent or guardian can be called; a first violation triggers a certified-mail warning to the parent from the Police Director rather than an immediate charge.