Tampa City Council will discuss the juvenile curfew on January 25th during its second reading of the proposed ordinance, which will impact juveniles 15 years old and under.
The Tampa curfew ordinance applies to juveniles under the age of 16 between the hours of 11:00pm – 5:00am Sunday-Thursday and 12:01am and 6:00am Saturdays, Sundays, on legal holidays, or during school hours if they have been suspended or expelled from school, unless one of eight exceptions applies.
Consequence of Violation for minor and parents:
- 1st offense: written warning to minor and parents.
- 2nd or subsequent offense civil infraction with fine of $50 for each violation to minor and parent.
The Juvenile Curfew ordinance is based on Florida State Statute s. 877.20, which states: “It is the intent of the Legislature to protect minors in this state from harm and victimization, to promote the safety and well-being of minors in this state, to reduce the crime and violence committed by minors in this state, and to provide counties and municipalities with the option of adopting a local juvenile curfew ordinance by incorporating by reference the provisions of ss. 877.20-877.24.”
This is a model curfew ordinance was enacted by the State Legislature in 1994. If it passed as written, it will be enacted citywide.
The eight exceptions in the ordinance adopted from Florida Statute s.877.24:
(1) Accompanied by his or her parent or by another adult authorized by the minor’s parent to have custody of the minor.
(2) Involved in an emergency or engaged, with his or her parent’s permission, in an emergency errand.
(3) Attending or traveling directly to or from an activity that involves the exercise of rights protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
(4) Going directly to or returning directly from lawful employment, or who is in a public place or establishment in connection with or as required by a business, trade, profession, or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged.
(5) Returning directly home from a school-sponsored function, a religious function, or a function sponsored by a civic organization.
(6) On the property of, or on the sidewalk of, the place where the minor resides, or who is on the property or sidewalk of an adult next-door neighbor with that neighbor’s permission.
(7) Engaged in interstate travel or bona fide intrastate travel with the consent of the minor’s parent.
(8) Attending an organized event held at and sponsored by a theme park or entertainment complex as defined in?Florida Statute s. 509.013(9).
