Laws - View Law: CURFEW

What is Curfew?

Curfew is how late you can legally stay outside in a public place. The State of Arizona allows each city to set curfews, and they can be different from place to place. If you violate curfew you may be ticked, have to pay a fine or do community service or held at the police station while a parent or guardian is called. Your parent or guardian is also susceptible to being cited for your violation of curfew laws., or che. Curfews are often different on weekends and weeknights and are often different if you are under the age of 16 or under the age of 18.

Laws

Each city enforces its own laws and those of the State. A city’s law is sometimes called a 'Municipal Code' or 'City Code.’ Curfew times vary from city to city within Arizona. Your best source for the curfew law in your city is your local police department or city attorney’s office. You may also search a municipal code web site for more information. Generally, you can be out past curfew only if you:

• Are with your parent or guardian;
• Are with an adult and have prior permission from your parent or guardian;
• You are traveling to another state in a motor vehicle and have permission from your parent or guardian;
• You are going or returning from work by the most direct route without any detours or stops;
• You are involved in an emergency or have prior permission from your parent or guardian and are engaged in a reasonable, legitimate, and specific business and/or activity;
• You have prior permission from your parent or guardian, and engaged in a reasonable exercise of your First Amendment Rights protected by the United States Constitution;
• You are married and 16 years of age or over, or in the military, are on the sidewalk in front of your house or on the next-door neighbor's property with their consent.

Possible consequences if curfew is violated:

• Some police departments issue tickets for violating curfew
• Some may give you a warning or take you to the police station and call your parents
• You may have to pay a fine or do community service and have a juvenile record
• Your parents or guardian may have to pay a fine, do community service
• Both you and your parents may be found guilty of a misdemeanor.

A sample of some curfew laws for selected cities:

Casa Grande: Age 15 and under (everyday, including weekends) : 10:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M.; 16 -18 years (everyday, including weekends) : Midnight to 5:00 A.M.

Chandler: Age 15 and under: 10 P.M . to 5:00 A.M. (everyday, including weekends); Ages 16-18 years: Midnight to 5:00 A.M. (everyday including weekends). Juveniles are allowed out after the specified times if they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or spouse, or have written permission from the same. Curfew is considered 'over' at 5 A.M.

Clarkdale/Cottonwood: Age 15 under: 10:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends; Age 16 -17: Midnight to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends.

Mesa: Age 16 or younger: 10 P.M. to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends; Age 16-18: 12 am midnight to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends; Violating this law is a misdemeanor, and the penalties include a maximum fine of $2,500.00 or imprisonment for up to six (6) months, or both.

Phoenix (including the Ahwatukee area) : Under age 16: 10 P.M. to 5:00 AM everyday, including weekends; Age 16-18: 12 am midnight to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends

Peoria : : Age 15 or under: 10:00 P.M. to 5:00 AM everyday, including weekends; Age 16 -18: 12:00 to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends. Violating Peoria’s curfew law is a misdemeanor, and the penalties include a fine of $50 to $150 plus fees with mandatory community service or educational programs. Parents found guilty of allowing their kids to stay out past curfew are guilty of a class one misdemeanor too, and can be fined $100-$250. Parents might also have to pay extra fees related to the City's court costs and might have to perform community service, counseling, educational programs or even be placed on probation.

Scottsdale : :Age 15 and under: 10:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends; Age 16 -18: 12:00 to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends.

Tucson : : Age 16 years or younger: 10 P.M. to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends; Age 16-18: midnight to 5:00 A.M. everyday, including weekends. In addition, minors younger than 16 cannot remain, loiter or cruise in any vehicle in the county or its unincorporated areas between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The same law applies to 16- and 17-year-olds, between midnight and 5 a.m. The fine for a curfew violation is $25 for the first violation, up to $50 for the second violation, and up to $75 for the third violation.

Your best source for the curfew law in your city is your local police department or city attorney’s office. You may also search an external Municipal Code web site for more city codes.