Is there a curfew for minors in La Canada Flintridge, CA? It's in Los Angeles County.

Question

I think there's a curfew, but I can't find it mentioned in the municipal code. If you answer, please back it up with a link to a source. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

You're welcome = )

There isn't anything to do after 10pm in the area anyway!

La Canada Municipal Code

http://qcode.us/codes/lacanadaflintridge...

TITLE 5 PUBLIC PEACE

Chapter 5.20 VIOLATIONS OF THE PEACE, HEALTH OR SAFETY

5.20.110 Juvenile loitering.

     It is unlawful for any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or aimlessly drive or ride about in or upon any public street, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground or other public ground, public place or public building, place of amusement or eating place, vacant lot or unsupervised place, between the hours of ten p.m. on any day and sunrise of the immediately following day; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply when:

     A.    The minor is accompanied by his or her parent or parents, legal guardian or other adult person having the legal care or custody of the minor, or by his or her spouse eighteen (18) years of age or older;

     B.     The minor is upon an errand directed by his or her parent or parents or legal guardian or other adult person having the legal care or custody of the minor, or by his or her spouse eighteen (18) years of age or older;

     C.     The minor is returning directly home from a public meeting or a place of public entertainment such as a movie, play, sporting event, dance or school activity;

     D.    The presence of such minor in said place or places is connected with or required with respect to a business, trade, profession or occupation in which said minor is lawfully engaged. (Ord. 167 § 1, 1989)

LA County Code - for the Unincorporated LA Co areas - like La Crescenta, Altadena, Kinneloa Canyon area of Pasadena, etc.

http://ordlink.com/codes/lacounty/index....

Title 13. Public Peace, Morals and Welfare

Chapter 13.56 CURFEW FOR MINORS

13.56.010 Prohibited act.

A. It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to be present in a “public place,” as defined in Section 13.56.010 B below, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. on any given day and sunrise of the immediately following day, unless the minor satisfies one of the exemptions specified in Section 13.56.020.

B. For purposes of this chapter, a “public place” means any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access, including, but not limited to, any public street, sidewalk, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground, or other public ground or public building, any common area of any school, hospital, apartment house, office building, transport facility, or shop, or any privately-owned place of business operated for a profit to which the public is invited, including any place of amusement, entertainment, or eating place. (Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

13.56.020 Exemptions.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply when a minor satisfies any one of the following:

A. The minor is accompanied by his or her parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) authorized by said parent(s) or guardian(s) to have the care and custody of the minor;

B. The minor is on an errand at the direction of the minor’s parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) authorized by said parent(s) or guardian(s) to have the care and custody of the minor;

C. The minor is in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;

D. The minor is present at, or traveling to or directly home from, a place or places that is connected with or required by a business, trade, profession or occupation in which said minor is lawfully engaged;

E. The minor is involved in an “emergency situation,” which means for this purpose, any unforeseen set of circumstances that calls for immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life, including, but not limited to, a fire, natural disaster, or automobile accident;

F. The minor is within 50 feet of the front door of his or her residence;

G. The minor is present at, or traveling to or directly home from, a school, religious, or recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by a school, religious or civic organization, or other similar entity or organization that assumes responsibility for the minor;

H. The minor is present at, or traveling to or directly home from, a political fundraiser, rally or other political activity, or is otherwise exercising his or her First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, provided that any such political event or other First Amendment-type activity is supervised by adults and/or sponsored by a political organization or other similar entity or organization that assumes responsibility for the minor;

I. The minor is present at, or traveling to or directly home from, a public meeting, or place of public entertainment, such as a movie, play, sporting event, dance or school activity, provided such meeting, event or activity is a school-approved activity for the minor or is otherwise supervised by school personnel of said minor’s school; or

J. The minor has entered into a valid marriage, is on active duty with the armed forces of the United States, or has otherwise been declared emancipated pursuant to Section 7002, et seq., of the California Family Code. (Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

13.56.030 Enforcement.

Before taking any enforcement action under this chapter, a law enforcement officer shall ask the apparent offender’s age and reason for being present in a “public place,” as defined in this chapter, during curfew hours. The officer shall not issue a citation or make an arrest under this chapter unless the officer reasonably believes that a violation of Section 13.56.010 has occurred and that, based on the apparent offender’s responses, no exemption under Section 13.56.020 is applicable. (Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

13.56.040 Powers of law enforcement officers not limited.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in any way as to limit the power or right of a law enforcement officer(s) to make any investigation, detention or arrest as such law enforcement officer(s) would be permitted to make in the absence of this chapter. (Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

13.56.050 Penalty.

Violation of this chapter by a minor shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00, or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both. (Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

13.56.060 Parental liability.

Any parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) authorized by said parent(s) or guardian(s) to have the care and custody of a minor, who knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, a minor to violate the curfew restrictions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

13.56.070 Severability.

If any provision or clause of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable. (Ord. 99-0087 § 3 (part), 1999.)

Answer 2

Minor curfew is 10pm for La Canada Flintridge, CA. Actually the curfew for most of Los Angeles County is 10pm. Of course, not every city actually enforces the code. I couldn't find the municipal code that specifically states the 10pm minor curfew. I only found a .pdf file with the mention of the 10pm curfew. link below