Florida Statewide Rule
Florida Juvenile Curfew Act Authorizes Statewide Framework
Key Facts
- Authority
- FS 877.20-877.25
- Age covered
- Under 16
- Weeknight hours
- 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Weekend hours
- 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m.
- Exceptions
- Built into FS 877.22
Summary
Florida Statutes 877.20 through 877.25, the Juvenile Curfew Act, set a uniform statewide framework allowing counties to impose curfews on minors under 16 with specific hours, exceptions, and parental liability provisions that apply identically across adopting jurisdictions.
F.S. 877.22 877.22 Minors prohibited in public places and establishments during certain hours; penalty; procedure. — (1)(a) A minor may not be or remain in a public place or establishment between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day, Sunday through Thursday, except in the case of a legal holiday. (b) A minor may not be or remain in a public place or establishment between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. (2) A minor who has been suspended or expelled from school may not be or remain in a public place, in an establishment, or within 1,000 feet of a school during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during any school day. (3) A minor who violates this section shall receive a written warning for her or his first violation. A minor who violates this section after having received a prior written warning is guilty of a civil infraction and shall pay a fine of $50 for each violation. (4) If a minor violates a curfew and is taken into custody, the minor shall be transported immediately to a police station or to a facility operated by a religious, charitable, or civic organization that conducts a curfew program in cooperation with a local law enforcement agency. After recording pertinent information about the minor, the law enforcement agency shall attempt to contact the parent of the minor and, if successful, shall request that the parent take custody of the minor and shall release the minor to the parent.
Full Breakdown
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. Sunday through Thursday and 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, unless an exception in FS 877.22 applies (accompanied by a parent, traveling to or from work, an emergency, attending an organized activity). FS 877.23 places a legal duty on parents not to knowingly permit violations. The framework applies only where a county or municipality adopts it by ordinance under FS 877.25.
Violations & Penalties
A first violation draws a written warning; each later violation is a civil infraction with a $50 fine. Parents who knowingly permit violations after a warning face the same penalties under FS 877.23.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Florida juvenile curfew apply everywhere automatically?
Can a minor be cited for working late or going to a school event?
Sources
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