Mar 6 2017

Dallas Juvenile Curfew Ordinance

As spring break approaches, the Dallas Police Department wants to remind parents of the Dallas Juvenile Curfew Ordinance.  The curfew, which has been enforced since 1994, applies to all juveniles under age 17, parents or guardians who knowingly permit or allow a minor to remain in a public place during curfew hours, and business owners/operators who knowingly allow a minor to remain on their premises during curfew hours.

Nighttime curfew hours are from 11:00 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday, until 6:00 a.m. of the following day, and from 12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  The ordinance also includes juveniles under the age of 17 who are truant from school between the hours of 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.  Parents who allow their children to violate the curfew can be issued a citation.  Business owners and operators may also be cited for allowing juveniles to remain on premises during curfew hours.  The fine for a curfew violation can be up to $500.

Nighttime curfew hour exceptions include:

  •  Accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  •  On an errand at the direction of the minor’s parent/guardian.
  •  Engaged in or going to or from an employment activity.
  •  Involved in an emergency.
  •  On a sidewalk abutting the minor’s residence.
  • Attending, going to or from an official school/religious activity.

Daytime curfew exceptions include:

  • School in which the minor was enrolled was not in session.
  • Participating in a school approved work study program.
  • On an excused absence from school and had permission from a school official.

The Dallas Police Department’s continued enforcement of the Juvenile Curfew Ordinance has helped to reduce overall crime committed by juvenile offenders and decreased the number of juvenile victims of violent crimes.  Youth crime reduction has also contributed to the Dallas Police Department’s goal of making Dallas one of the five safest large cities.

Dallas police officers will be actively enforcing this ordinance during the coming weeks, and throughout the year.  Parents are encouraged to have their children adhere to this ordinance, and to know where they are at all times.