New summer youth curfew takes effect in DC

WASHINGTON — Starting Monday, DC Police will be enforcing their summer youth curfew hours that extend for the months of July and August. For those months, people 16 years old and younger have to be off the streets from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. The hours apply for all seven days of the week.

Usually during the rest of the year, curfew is enforced at 11 p.m. during certain weekdays. 

Last month, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said she was following through on curfew enforcement just hours after a large crowd of teenagers prompted an increased police presence along the U Street corridor.

Chief Smith sent a message to parents during an appearance on Get Up DC last week. 

"Know where your children are at 12:01 a.m. We want to make sure that those kids that are in need, we want to find safe spaces for them, but more importantly the young people that are out after hours, engaged in the various activities, in the criminal activities, we have a place for them. But for those who are not engaged in those spaces and are out after the curfew hours, we will transport them to one of our DYRS facilities across the seven districts to ensure a parent can come pick them back up and take them to a safe location," she said.

Under D.C. law, a parent or legal guardian that allows their children to violate the curfew can face a fine of up to $500 or community service. A young person may be ordered to perform 25 hours of community service.

Here are some more things to know about D.C.'s curfew enforcement.

What does the law say?

The Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 (DC Code 2-1541 et. seq.) states that persons under the age of 17 cannot remain in or on a street, park or other outdoor public place, in a vehicle or on the premises of any establishment within the District of Columbia during curfew hours, unless they are involved in certain exempted activities.

What are the curfew hours?

For the months of September through June:

During July and August only:

Does the curfew law apply to non-District residents?

Yes. The curfew law applies to all persons under the age of 17 who are in the District of Columbia during curfew hours. This includes both District residents as well as young people who reside elsewhere.

What are the penalties for violating the law?

A parent or legal guardian of a juvenile under the age of 17 commits an offense if he or she knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to violate the curfew law. Any adult who violates the Juvenile Curfew Act is subject to a fine not to exceed $500 or community service. A minor who violates curfew may be ordered to perform up to 25 hours of community service.

Persons under the age of 17 are exempt from curfew if they:

 
Is a Curfew Law Constitutional?

Passed in 1995, DC's curfew law was set up to protect the health and safety of young people and our communities. After the law was challenged in court, MPD stopped enforcement until the court decided whether the law was constitutional. In June 1999, the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found the law to be constitutional. The District began enforcing the law again in the fall of 1999.

Additional Resources

For more information on programs and safety tips for young people, contact:

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