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PHILADELPHIA, PA–

Until September 29th, a new, expanded juvenile curfew is in effect in Philadelphia, PA. Under the previous curfew ordinance, anyone under 16 years old had to be indoors by 10:00 PM. With the new experimental ordinance, anyone under the age of 18 must be indoors by 10:00 PM. Children under the age of 14 have a 9:30 PM curfew. The curfew ordinance exempts minors who are being supervised by a parent, running an errand that was requested by their parent, are working at a legal job, or are active duty in the military. 

buildings in the city of philadelphia
<em>Expanded Juvenile curfew ordinance in effect until September 29th |Photo by Trev Adams on <a href=httpswwwpexelscomphotobuildings in the city of philadelphia 11531611 rel=nofollow>Pexelscom<a><em>

Are juvenile curfew ordinances constitutional?

If the ordinance isn’t overly broad or vague, then it’s constitutional. Courts have concluded that state and local governments have a valid interest in keeping communities and juveniles safe and that reasonable curfews can be enforced against minors in ways that would be unconstitutional for an adult

Are there any juvenile curfews in the Pittsburgh area?

Several cities and municipalities in western Pennsylvania have juvenile curfew ordinances. Most predominant of these is the City of Pittsburgh. While Philadelphia recently began experimenting with a curfew for everyone under the age of 18, Pittsburgh has had a restrictive curfew for 16 and 17 year olds for several years. Under the Pittsburgh juvenile curfew ordinance, minors are prohibited from being in public spaces and businesses from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sundays through Thursdays and from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM Fridays and Saturdays from July 1st to August 31st and from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sundays through Thursdays and from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM Fridays and Saturdays from September 1st through June 30th. Pittsburgh also offers certain exceptions for juveniles who are supervised, are running “reasonable” errands, are participating in work, religious, athletic, or organized recreational activities, or are on a neighbor’s property with that neighbor’s permission.

Do juvenile curfew ordinances work?

Current research suggests that curfew ordinances aren’t effective at preventing juvenile crime and delinquency.