Elizabeth, Plainfield, Linden, and Rahway enforce juvenile curfews for minors under 18. Elizabeth Chapter 9.16 sets school-night curfew 10 PM-6 AM and weekend curfew 11 PM-6 AM. Plainfield similar hours. Exceptions for work, school events, emergencies, and accompaniment by parent. Suburban municipalities (Westfield, Summit, Cranford) lack active juvenile curfews. NJ Juvenile Code N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-71 provides state framework. Enforcement emphasizes parental notification over citation.
Juvenile curfews in Union County are municipal, with active enforcement primarily in urban communities. Elizabeth Revised Ordinances Chapter 9.16 prohibits minors under 18 from being in public places Sunday through Thursday 10 PM to 6 AM and Friday-Saturday 11 PM to 6 AM, with exceptions for: traveling to or from work; attending a school, religious, or recreational activity; emergencies; running errands at the request of a parent; or being accompanied by a parent or guardian. Plainfield Code §10:4 mirrors Elizabeth hours. Linden Code §168 sets similar school-night/weekend distinction. Rahway Code §203 provides curfew with exceptions. Roselle and Hillside also enforce juvenile curfews. Suburban municipalities including Westfield, Summit, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Berkeley Heights, and New Providence generally do not have active juvenile curfews, relying instead on general loitering and disorderly conduct ordinances. NJ Juvenile Justice Code (N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-71 et seq.) governs handling of curfew violations as juvenile delinquency matters, with emphasis on family court diversion and parental involvement rather than incarceration. Elizabeth and Plainfield also enforce daytime truancy provisions during school hours (8 AM-3 PM) under N.J.S.A. 18A:38-28. First offense typically results in parental notification; repeat violations generate summons to family court and fines against parents.
Elizabeth first offense: warning and parental notification. Second: $50-$500 fine to parents under Chapter 9.16. Repeat: referral to Union County Family Court under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A. Truancy: parental civil liability plus school attendance review.
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See how Union County's juvenile curfew rules stack up against other locations.
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