Utah Teen Curfew Laws

As a child grows up and ventures out into the world, new considerations about his safety arise often, and one of these is curfew. Utah has laws that are designed to protect minors under 18. The laws vary from county to county, so for specific rules, check with your county police agency.

  1. Statewide Curfew

    • Being out after midnight is a violation of curfew.

      The Utah State Legislature enacted a law in 1997 that addressed a curfew for minors under 18. The law states that between midnight and 6 a.m. minors need to be off the streets, whether they're driving or walking. Also, according to the law, parents or guardians of minors who allow their children to violate the law are also in violation. Violating curfew is a Class C misdemeanor and may result in a sentence of community service for violators.

    Police Action

    • The police officer will accompany the minor home.

      If a police officer finds a minor in violation of the curfew, according to the law he will take the minor home and "relinquish the minor to the custody of the parent, guardian or other responsible adult in residence." If no such person is available, the minor will be taken to a designated facility in that county. This is not to be a juvenile detention or secure facility.

    Exceptions

    • A few exceptions allow minors to be out during curfew hours.

      There are exceptions to the curfew law that protect a minor from being accompanied home by a peace officer. First, if the minor is being attended to by a parent or guardian in person, she is not in violation. The same applies if the minor is married.

      Local laws may be different from the state laws. For example, Salt Lake County, according to the National Association of Counties, has different curfews for those under 16 and those over 16.

      Finally, if the minor is attending an approved school, religious or recreational event, traveling to or from work, responding to an emergency or enacting his First Amendment rights, he is not in violation of curfew.

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