Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 13.57 Daytime Restrictions for Minors

A.

It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years, who is subject to compulsory education or to compulsory continuation education, to be "absent from school and found in a public place," as defined in subsection B of this section, unless the minor has one of the valid excuses specified in Section 13.57.020.

B.

For purposes of this chapter, a minor is "absent from school and found in a public place" if said minor is found idling, wandering, strolling, playing, or aimlessly driving or riding about in or upon any public street, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground, or other public ground, public place or public building, place of amusement or eating place, vacant lot or unsupervised place, or any place open to the public during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. of the same day on days when said minor's school is in session.

(Ord. 96-0009 § 1 (part), 1996.)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply when a minor has one of the following valid excuses:

A.

The minor has in his or her possession a written excuse from the minor's parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) having the legal care or custody of said minor, which excuse provides a reasonable explanation, as determined by the court, for the minor's absence from school;

B.

The minor is accompanied by his or her parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) having the legal care or custody of the minor;

C.

The minor is upon an emergency errand directed by said minor's parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) having the legal care or custody of the minor;

D.

The minor is going to or returning directly from a medical appointment;

E.

The minor has permission to leave campus and said minor has in his or her possession a valid, school-issued, off-campus permit;

F.

The minor is going to or returning directly 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

G.

The presence of the minor in said place or places is connected with or required by a school-approved or school-related business, trade, profession or occupation in which said minor is lawfully engaged.

(Ord. 96-0009 § 1 (part), 1996.)

Violation of this chapter shall constitute an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.00.

(Ord. 96-0009 § 1 (part), 1996.)

A minor cited for an infraction under this chapter must attend a court hearing on the infraction and must be accompanied at the hearing by his or her parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) having the legal care or custody of said minor. If any such parental or custodial person(s) fails to attend the hearing with the minor, and unless the interests of justice would otherwise be served, the court shall continue the hearing and shall issue a citation to said parental or custodial person(s) directing said person(s) to appear at the continued hearing with the minor.

(Ord. 96-0009 § 1 (part), 1996.)

Notwithstanding Section 13.57.030, the court may set aside the fine imposed by this chapter, or any portion thereof, if the fine is based on the minor's first infraction under this chapter and provided the minor produces proof satisfactory to the court that the following has occurred during the period between the initial hearing on the infraction and any subsequent hearing set by the court:

A.

The minor has had no unexcused absences from school; and

B.

The minor has performed 10 hours of court-approved community service during times other than said minor's hours of school attendance; or

C.

The minor's parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) having the legal care or custody of said minor has or have attended a parenting class or a series of parenting classes approved by the court.

(Ord. 96-0009 § 1 (part), 1996.)

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. 96-0009 § 1 (part), 1996.)