Tennessee Juvenile Curfew Statewide Authorization Framework

Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17-1702 establishes a statewide framework authorizing counties and municipalities to enact juvenile curfew ordinances. The statute defines a minor as a person under 18 and authorizes local governments to prohibit minors from being in public places between 11 pm and 6 am Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 am on Friday and Saturday. Standard exceptions include minors accompanied by a parent, traveling to or from work, attending official school or religious functions, or responding to an emergency. Parents who knowingly permit violations may face civil penalties. The statute provides First Amendment exceptions for protected expression.

Minor violations typically result in juvenile court referral; parents may face civil fines escalating from $50 to $500 for repeat offenses.