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. 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 (every day, including weekends) : 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.; 16 -18 years (every day, including weekends) : Midnight to 5:00 a.m.

Chandler: Age 15 and under: 10 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (every day, including weekends); Ages 16-18 years: Midnight to 5:00 a.m. (every day 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. every day, including weekends; Age 16 -17: Midnight to 5:00 a.m. every day, including weekends.

Mesa: Age 16 or younger: 10 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. every day, including weekends; Age 16-18: 12 am midnight to 5:00 a.m. every day, 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 every day, including weekends; Age 16-18: 12 am midnight to 5:00 a.m. every day, including weekends

Peoria: Age 15 or under: 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 AM every day, including weekends; Age 16 -18: 12:00 to 5:00 a.m. every day, 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. every day, including weekends; Age 16 -18: 12:00 to 5:00 a.m. every day, including weekends.

Tucson: Age 16 years or younger: 10 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. every day, including weekends; Age 16-18: midnight to 5:00 a.m. every day, 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.

Applies to any "motorized vehicle that is self-propelled by a motor or engine," whether it be gas or electric, and can reach the speed of up to 50 mph, are banned on any kind of public land - that includes parks and alleys - and can only be used on private property with the written consent of the owner… according to the ordinance

Those who violate the rules will be subject to a traffic citation, just as drivers who speed or fail to yield at a stoplight are. And parents whose children are cited are just as liable - even if they didn't know their kids were using the skateboards in an inappropriate manner, or place.

See also: MOTORIZED SKATEBOARDS for more information about motorized skateboards.

The Arizona Legislature passed a law that went into effect on August 12, 2005 that allows minors to be emancipated. The law can be found at A.R.S. §§ 12-2451 through 12-2456. However, emancipation is a very difficult process that few are eligible for.

Youth can be emancipated if they meet the following criteria:

• At least 16
• An Arizona resident
• Financially self-sufficient
• Acknowledges in writing that they have read and understand the rights and obligations of emancipation
• Not a ward of the court or in the state’s custody.

Minor must demonstrate to the court the ability to:

• Manage financial, personal and social affairs.
• Live wholly independent of parent or guardian.
• Obtain or maintain health care, education, training or employment.

Documentation-- the minor must provide at least one (1) of the following:

• Documentation of the minor’s independent living for at least three consecutive months.
• Statement explaining why the minor believes the home of the parent or legal guardian is unsafe.
• A notarized statement of written consent from the parent or guardian in addition to an explanation by the parent or guardian.

Court Process

• The court has up to 90 days to hear the emancipation request.
• Minor may represent themself or be represented by an attorney.
• The court may appoint a lawyer for the minor.
• At least 2 months before the hearing, the court must notify the minor's parents.
• The parents have up to 30 days to object to the emanicpation.
• The parents may request mediation or the court may order mediation.

Basis for Court decision

• Potential risks and consequences of emancipation.
• The wishes of the minor.
• Opinions and recommendations of the minor’s parents or guardian.
• Financial resources of the minor and the minor’s ability to be financially self-sufficient.
• The employment, education and criminal history of the minor.

Rights of Emancipated Minors -- An emancipated minor is entitled to:

• Enter a contract.
• Sue and be sued.
• Buy and sell real property.
• Establish legal residence.
• Pay child support.
• Incur debts.
• Apply for social services.
• Obtain a job-related license.
• Apply for school.
• Apply for loans.
• Access medical treatment and records.
• Consent to medical treatment.
• A driver's license or non-operating license with the words: Emancipated Minor.

Being a teen isn’t easy. You sometimes find yourself looking for ways to fit in or to impress your friends. You may even find yourself breaking the law just to be part of action. Before you do something you may regret, there is something you need to know.

Lawmakers and voters feel that too many crimes are being committed by juveniles, victimizing too many innocent people. Because of this, the law in Arizona has changed to severely punish violent youthful offenders.

Kids might think juvenile court is a joke. A slap on the wrist and you’re out the door. Wrong! The punishment for juveniles in Arizona just got a lot tougher.

• Did you know that if you are 15, 16 or 17 years old, you are required to be tried as an ADULT if: you commit a specified violent crime (including murder, armed robbery, forcible sexual assault, or aggravated assault), or you are arrested for your third felony (which is any felony after being adjudicated on two prior felonies)?
• Did you know that some juvenile records are not confidential?
• Did you know that your parents must come to court with you?
• Did you know that your first driving under the influence conviction means 24 hours in detention and losing your driver’s license?
• Did you know that a conviction for graffiti results in a driver’s license suspension?
• Did you know that the destruction of juvenile records is not automatic?

Recent History of Juvenile Justice Reform
The Juvenile Justice Reform Act (or Senate Bill 1446)- was passed by the Arizona State Legislature to implement Proposition 102, which was passed by the voters in November of 1996. This law became effective on July 21, 1997.