Starting Monday night, Miami Police will begin enforcing a curfew for minors under the age of 18.
Curfew hours are 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Juvenile Curfew Ordinance makes it illegal for minors to linger or congregate in public areas in Miami-Dade County or the City of Miami during curfew hours, either on foot or in a vehicle.
Any teen found in violation of the curfew will be given a citation and taken home or to a holding facility. Upon a third offense, parents of the minor can be fined up to $500.
According to the Miami Police Department, exemptions to the curfew include:
- A juvenile accompanied by a parent of legal guardian
- A juvenile who is with a person 21 years of age or older and that person has the permission of the juvenile's parent or legal guardian to be in charge of the juvenile
- A juvenile who is working or traveling directly to or from work
- A juvenile who is traveling interstate
- A juvenile who is running an errand for a parent or legal guardian and has written permission from that parent or legal guardian to do so
- A juvenile who is aiding or assisting in an emergency
- A juvenile who is attending or traveling directly to or from school, religious or recreational event sponsored by Dade County, the Dade County School Board, a municipality or a civic organization
- A juvenile who has been emancipated either by marriage or court order
- A juvenile who is homeless
- A juvenile who is exercising his or her First Amendment rights
- A juvenile who is on the swale or sidewalk in front of the juvenile's residence or a next door neighbor's residence if the neighbor does not object
- A juvenile with written permission from a parent or legal guardian who is attending or returning from a public event which is open to the general public and begins before 10:00 p.m.
- A juvenile who is authorized by the County Commission to be out in public during curfew hours
Police say the curfew is intended to prevent and deter juvenile criminal activity and to keep kids safe.
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado wouldn't comment on the curfew but his spokesman released a statement saying, "The mayor fully supports the effort of the Miami Police Department in trying to reduce violence in the city."
