Curfew Laws in Minnesota

Youth from several counties throughout Minnesota are subject to curfew laws when they are not accompanied by an adult. Exceptions are made for young people working at a job or who are part of a group, and for those who are running an errand for an adult. The time a young person has to be home depends on her age.

 

City of New Hope

Curfew laws are applied to youth under 18 years old in the City of New Hope. Kids who are under 12 years old must be home before 9 p.m. on school nights and before 10 p.m. on weekends. Children between 12 and 14 years old have their curfew pushed back one hour to fall at 10 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively. Those between 15 and 17 are allotted an additional hour, for curfews at 11 p.m. and 12:01 p.m. respectively.

 

Dakota County

The Dakota County curfews are set for people younger than 18. All youths must be home before 5 p.m. Children under 12 need to be home before 9 p.m. on school nights and 10 p.m. on weekends. Kids 12 to 14 years old must be home before 10 p.m. on school nights and 11 p.m. on weekends. Those between 15 and 17 can't be in public after 11 p.m. on school nights and midnight on weekends.

 

Hennepin County

In Hennepin County, it is unlawful for kids under 18 to be in public before 5 a.m. on any day of the week. For children 12 and under, they can't be in public past 9 p.m. on school nights and 10 p.m. on weekends. For those between 12 and 14, they can't be out past 10 p.m. on school nights and 11 p.m. on weekends. Teenagers between 15 and 17 years old can't be in public past 11 p.m. on school nights and midnight on weekends.

 

Penalties

Generally, if a child is found to be out in public during curfew, he is given a ticket for $25. If the same child is caught out past curfew a second time, he is issued a ticket for $50. A third ticket results in the child appearing in court. Youth previously been convicted of a crime are taken to court after their first ticket. Parents can also be ticketed for allowing their child to be out past curfew.

 

Key Concepts

• Minnesota curfew laws
• juvenile state laws
• teenager rules

 

References

• City of Hope: Curfew Regulations [http://www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/departments/police/community/curfew.shtml]
• Dakota County: Dakota County Curfew [http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Departments/Attorney/FAQ/CurfewRequirements.htm]
• Hennepin County: Ordinance #16, Juvenile Curfew [http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/portal/site/HennepinUS/menuitem.b1ab75471750e40fa01dfb47ccf06498/?vgnextoid=d025d80e04425210VgnVCM20000048114689RCRD]