Curfew

Hennepin County Curfew

Kids have curfews in Hennepin County.  And it’s not just to keep your kids out of trouble – it’s to protect them from becoming victims as well.

Many Hennepin County parents and children don’t know there are nighttime curfews for all kids under 18. If a juvenile is caught out after hours by police, they could be charged with a petty offense. Hennepin County adopted a countywide curfew ordinance in 1994 in response to a significant increase in juvenile crime and victimization. Many juvenile crimes occur during curfew hours. There also were different curfews in different cities – the ordinance standardized curfews throughout the county.

"The curfew law sets clear expectations for responsible behavior by young people, both for their own protection and the protection of everyone else,” says then Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar. “When kids are home at night, they are less likely to commit crimes or end up as victims of crime."

Kids are particularly susceptible to becoming victims of older perpetrators during nighttime hours. The younger the person, the more likely they are to be a victim of a crime. Curfews apply to anyone under age 18, at any public place, including streets, common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities and shops. Parents always can set tighter curfews.

Curfew hours are staggered, depending on age and day of the week:

For juveniles under age 12, curfews are from:
- 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday to 5 a.m. the next day.
- 10 p.m. Friday or Saturday to 5 a.m. the next day.

For juveniles 12 to 14:
- 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday to 5 a.m. the next day. 
- 11 p.m. Friday or Saturday to 5 a.m. the next day.

For juveniles 15 to 17:
- 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday to 5 a.m. the next day. 
- 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday or Sunday.

What are the exceptions? If a juvenile can prove that:
-They are accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult.
- They are working or going to and from work.
- There is an emergency situation.
- They are going to, attending or coming home from an official school, religious or recreational activity, sponsored or supervised by a public entity or civic organization.
- They are on an errand at the direction of a parent or guardian.
- They are exercising First Amendment rights, protected by the federal or state constitution.
- They are engaged in interstate travel.
- They are on a public right-of-way, boulevard or sidewalk abutting property where they live or a neighbor’s property.

If the officer reasonably believes the juvenile has violated the ordinance, they may detain or take them into custody. Sanctions may include a fine up to $100, community service, a chemical dependency evaluation, a drug awareness or other outpatient treatment program, and will include probation.

The curfew ordinance doesn't just apply to kids – it’s unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly, or through negligent supervision, permit a juvenile to be out after curfew. It’s also unlawful for the proprietor of an establishment to knowingly let a juvenile remain there during curfew hours. A defense is if they can show that they reasonably or in good faith relied on the juvenile’s proof of age, or promptly notified police that juveniles were on their property after curfew. Both offenses by parents or proprietors are misdemeanors, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.

This information was provided by the Hennepin County website.