Harris County Juvenile Curfew Ordinance

The origin of the Juvenile curfew for Harris County was approved on September 19, 1995 by Commissioners Court. The curfew order for the unincorporated areas of the county became effective October 1, 1995.

The curfew includes all areas located in unincorporated Harris County. Juveniles under the age of 17 are subject to the Harris County Juvenile Curfew order.

The Juvenile Curfew is enforced seven days a week. The hour of enforcement is from 12 midnight to 6 a.m. in the morning.

The exceptions to the curfew are:

·          Accompanied by parent, guardian or custodian

·          Engaged in lawful employment or traveling to or from employment

·          Participating or traveling to or from school-sponsored or church-affiliated activities, recreational activities supervised by adults and sponsored by a government entity, civic, non-profit organization or similar entity that takes responsibility for the juveniles.

·          On sidewalk of Juvenile’s residence or sidewalk of next door neighbor, if neighbor does not complain 

·          Involved in an emergency

·          In vehicle or aircraft involved in interstate travel with the consent of a parent, guardian, or custodian

·          Married or previously married; or had disabilities of minority removed by a court of competent jurisdiction

Law enforcement officers will carefully assess each situation regarding a possible infraction of the juvenile curfew. If the juvenile is taken into custody, the juvenile may be transported to a processing center.

While at the processing center, the juvenile’s parent, guardian or custodian will be contacted and asked to pick up the juvenile. If a parent, guardian or custodian cannot be located or does not pick up the juvenile, the juvenile will be transported to Chimney Rock Center operated by Children’s Protective Services.

The juvenile can receive a citation, which is a Class C Misdemeanor up to $500.00. In addition, the parent, guardian or custodian may also be issued a citation if they knowingly allow juvenile to violate curfew. Owner, operator and other person in control of a public place may be issued a citation if they knowingly permit juvenile to remain on premises during curfew hours.

If you live in one of the many corporate boundaries of a municipality, town and village located within Harris County, be sure and check with the Law Enforcement agency in your area for details of their juvenile curfew laws.

Many juveniles do not recognize the potential dangers they face by being on the streets during these times. The curfew will reduce the chances of these juveniles becoming a victim of crime.

Article written by Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Cunningham, Cypresswood Substation, and used with his permission