Chapter 13 — CURFEW FOR MINORS

It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) to loiter, wander, stroll or play in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public place and public buildings, vacant lots, or other unsupervised placed between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day. However, the provisions of this section do not apply when the person is accompanied by his parent, guardian or other adult person having the legal or lawful care and custody of the person or when the person is returning directly home from a meeting, entertainment, recreational activity or dance, or when the person is going directly to or returning from work. Further, on Friday and Saturday evenings the curfew shall apply only from 12:00 midnight until 5:00 a.m. of the day immediately following.

(§ II, Ord. 96-13, eff. July 13, 1996)

Every parent, guardian or other person having the legal care, custody or control of any person under the age of eighteen (18) years who permits such person to violate the provisions of this chapter is guilty of an infraction for first and second violation. A third and subsequent violation shall be deemed a misdemeanor.

(§ II, Ord. 96-13, eff. July 13, 1996)

Any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years found in violation of this chapter may be temporarily detained by law enforcement personnel upon a reasonable suspicion based on articulable facts that the minor is in violation of this chapter. Upon a determination that the minor is in violation of this chapter, he/she shall immediately be cited and issued a notice to appear before a juvenile traffic hearing officer. The law enforcement officer detaining the minor shall then transport that minor to his or her place of permanent or temporary residence or to the custody of his or her parent or legal guardian.

(§ II, Ord. 96-13, eff. July 13, 1996)

The traffic hearing officer may order that a minor found to be in violation of this chapter shall perform community service for a total time not to exceed twenty (20) hours over a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, during times other than his or her hours of school attendance or employment.

(§ II, Ord. 96-13, eff. July 13, 1996)

Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 256.5, a traffic hearing officer may request the juvenile court judge to issue a warrant of arrest against a minor who is issued and signs a written notice to appear for violation of this chapter and who fails to appear at the time and place designated in the notice.

(§ II, Ord. 96-13, eff. July 13, 1996)

If the County has adopted the resolution specified in Welfare and Institutions Code Section 625.6, the parents of the minor or legal guardian may be held liable for actual administrative and transportation costs incurred as a result of violation of this chapter by the minor child.

(§ II, Ord. 96-13, eff. July 13, 1996)