Torrance Municipal Code Art. 2 Curfew

(Amended by O-3237; O-3449)

a) It is unlawful for any minor to be present in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City of Torrance during curfew hours.

b) It is unlawful for any parent or guardian of a minor knowingly to permit, or by insufficient control to allow, the minor to be present in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during curfew hours.

c) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 45.2.1(a) or (b) that the minor was:

1. Accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian, or by a responsible adult;

2. On an errand at the direction of the minor’s parent or guardian, or the responsible adult, without any detour or stop;

3. In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;

4. Engaged in an employment activity, or going to or returning home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop;

5. Involved in an emergency;

6. Adjacent to the minor’s residence;

7. Traveling to or from a school or religious function, or other recreational activity sponsored by a legitimate organization that is supervised by adults and authorized by the minor’s parent, without any detour or stop;

8. Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution; or

9. Emancipated pursuant to law.

d) Each violation of this section will constitute a separate offense.

(Added by O-3449)

a) It is unlawful for any minor, who is subject to compulsory education, continuing education or home study, to be present in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City of Torrance during the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. of the same day or days when the minor’s school is in session.

b) It is unlawful for any parent or a guardian of a minor knowingly to permit, or by insufficient control to allow, the minor to be present in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. of the same day or days when the minor’s school is in session.

c) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 45.2.2(a) or (b) that the minor was:

1. Accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian, or by a responsible adult;

2. Involved in an emergency;

3. Traveling to or from a medical appointment;

4. The minor has permission to leave campus and has a valid off-campus school issued permit;

5. The minor is going or returning to school or home;

6. The presence of the minor is connected with a profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged.

d) Each violation of this section will constitute a separate offense.

(Added by O-3421; O-3449)

For purposes of Sections 45.2.1 and 45.2.2:

"Curfew hours" means the period from 10:00 P.M. any evening of the week, until 6:00 A.M. the following day.

"Emergency" means an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. The term includes, but is not limited to, a fire, natural disaster, an automobile accident or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life.

"Establishment" means any privately owned place of business to which the public is invited, including but not limited to any place of amusement or entertainment.

"Guardian" means (1) a person who, under court order, is the guardian of the person of a minor; or (2) a public or private agency with whom a minor has been placed by the court.

"Minor" means any person under eighteen (18) years of age.

"Parent" means a person who is a natural parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent of another person.

"Public place" means any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities and shops.

"Responsible adult" means a person at least eighteen (18) years of age, authorized by a parent or guardian to have care and custody of a minor.

"Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

(Added by O-3421; O-3449)

a) A minor violating the provisions of Section 45.2.1(a) is guilty of a misdemeanor.

b) A minor violating the provisions of Sections 45.2.2(a) is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

c) Every parent or guardian of a minor who violates Section 45.2.1(b) or Section 45.2.2(b) is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Added by O-3421; O-3449)

When a minor has been detained by the Police Department under the provisions of this chapter for a period longer than one (1) hour and thereafter convicted of a violation of this chapter, the parent(s) or guardian(s), or other adult person(s) having custody of the minor are liable for the costs of providing supervision and detention of the minor by the Police Department, over and above the services normally provided by the Department.