Florida Juvenile Curfew Act Authorizes Statewide Framework

Under FS 877.22, the default curfew prohibits minors under 16 from being in a public place between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on weekdays and midnight to 6 a.m. on weekends, unless an enumerated exception applies (accompanied by parent, traveling to or from work, emergency, attending sponsored event). FS 877.23 mandates exceptions that no local ordinance may eliminate. Counties opting in adopt the framework wholesale; cities within those counties cannot create conflicting curfew rules. Parents who knowingly permit violations face civil penalties under FS 877.24.

First violation is a civil infraction; subsequent offenses may be misdemeanors. Minors are detained and released to parents; parents face fines under FS 877.24.