Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 13.56 Curfew for Minors

A.

It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to be present in a "public place," as defined in Section 13.56.010 B below, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. on any given day and sunrise of the immediately following day, unless the minor satisfies one of the exemptions specified in Section 13.56.020.

B.

For purposes of this chapter, a "public place" means any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access, including, but not limited to, any public street, sidewalk, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground, or other public ground or public building, any common area of any school, hospital, apartment house, office building, transport facility, or shop, or any privately-owned place of business operated for a profit to which the public is invited, including any place of amusement, entertainment, or eating place.

(Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply when a minor satisfies any one of the following:

A.

The minor is accompanied by his or her parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) authorized by said parent(s) or guardian(s) to have the care and custody of the minor;

B.

The minor is on an errand at the direction of the minor's parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) authorized by said parent(s) or guardian(s) to have the care and custody of the minor;

C.

The minor is in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;

D.

The minor is present at, or traveling to or directly home from, a place or places that is connected with or required by a business, trade, profession or occupation in which said minor is lawfully engaged;

E.

The minor is involved in an "emergency situation," which means for this purpose, any unforeseen set of circumstances that calls for immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life, including, but not limited to, a fire, natural disaster, or automobile accident;

F.

The minor is within 50 feet of the front door of his or her residence;

G.

The minor is present at, or traveling to or directly home from, a school, religious, or recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by a school, religious or civic organization, or other similar entity or organization that assumes responsibility for the minor;

H.

The minor is present at, or traveling to or directly home from, a political fundraiser, rally or other political activity, or is otherwise exercising his or her First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, provided that any such political event or other First Amendment-type activity is supervised by adults and/or sponsored by a political organization or other similar entity or organization that assumes responsibility for the minor;

I.

The minor is present at, or traveling to or directly home from, a public meeting, or place of public entertainment, such as a movie, play, sporting event, dance or school activity, provided such meeting, event or activity is a school-approved activity for the minor or is otherwise supervised by school personnel of said minor's school; or

J.

The minor has entered into a valid marriage, is on active duty with the armed forces of the United States, or has otherwise been declared emancipated pursuant to Section 7002, et seq., of the California Family Code.

(Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

Before taking any enforcement action under this chapter, a law enforcement officer shall ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being present in a "public place," as defined in this chapter, during curfew hours. The officer shall not issue a citation or make an arrest under this chapter unless the officer reasonably believes that a violation of Section 13.56.010 has occurred and that, based on the apparent offender's responses, no exemption under Section 13.56.020 is applicable.

(Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in any way as to limit the power or right of a law enforcement officer(s) to make any investigation, detention or arrest as such law enforcement officer(s) would be permitted to make in the absence of this chapter.

(Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

Violation of this chapter by a minor shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00, or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both.

(Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

Any parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) authorized by said parent(s) or guardian(s) to have the care and custody of a minor, who knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, a minor to violate the curfew restrictions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

If any provision or clause of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.

(Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)