Valencia County, NM Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

The Board of County Commissioners adopted the curfew on December 15, 1997 under its police-power authority in NMSA § 4-37-1, finding an increase in juvenile violence and gang activity among people under 17 in the county. on Saturday or Sunday, effectively giving minors an extra hour out on Friday and Saturday nights before curfew starts. 03 creates three separate offenses: a minor who remains in a public place or on the premises of an establishment during curfew hours; a parent or guardian who knowingly permits or fails to adequately control a minor doing so; and an establishment's owner, operator, or employee who knowingly lets a minor stay on the premises during those hours.

04 lists specific defenses: the minor was with a parent or guardian, running an errand for one, traveling interstate, coming from or going to work or a supervised school, religious, or civic-sponsored recreational activity, responding to an emergency, exercising First Amendment rights, married or otherwise had disabilities of minority removed under the New Mexico Human Rights Act, or standing on the sidewalk outside home or a non-complaining neighbor's home. 06 juvenile authorities take custody if no parent can be located.