Community Outreach

County curfew law in effect

Since 1995 Hennepin County has had a countywide curfew ordinance restricting the nighttime hours when juveniles can be in public places. Police are authorized to enforce this ordinance.

The curfew law specifies when a juvenile should be at home. During curfew hours, juveniles are not permitted in any public place (including streets, parks, movie theaters, restaurants, parking lots or any car in a public place). Although it always extends to 5:00 am, the curfew start time depends on the age of the juvenile and the day of the week:

A curfew violation is a petty offense, and it is a misdemeanor for a parent to allow a juvenile to violate curfew (either intentionally or through negligent supervision).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Officers can stop and question any juvenile in Hennepin County who is out after curfew. After speaking with the juvenile and considering the facts and surrounding circumstances, the officer must reasonably believe that the juvenile has violated the curfew law and that none of the exceptions (below) apply before issuing a citation, detaining the juvenile or taking the juvenile into custody.

The County Attorney's Office has business-size cards and refrigerator magnets which detail the curfew times. These are provided to schools, police, libraries and youth-serving agencies for distribution to parents and children. To obtain cards or magnets, call the County Attorney's office at 612-348-6765.