City of Westminster, MD Curfew

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

Any person under the age of 16 years.

Persons under the age of 16 years.

It shall be unlawful for any child to be in or upon or to enter or remain in or upon any street, park or other public place within the City at any time during the period from 10:00 p.m. until 1/2 hour before sunrise of the next succeeding day, unless such child is accompanied by a parent, guardian or other person having the legal custody of such child.

As a warning, a bell, siren or other warning shall be sounded at 9:45 p.m. each day, to be known as the "curfew signal," after which all children shall be required to be at home or off the streets, parks or other public places, except as herein provided for.

§ 106-4 Parental responsibility.

It shall be unlawful for any parent, guardian or other person having the legal custody of any child to allow or permit such child to go or be in or upon any street, park or other public place within the City during the period prohibited in § 106-3, except as therein provided.

§ 106-5 Violations and penalties.

Any child found in and upon any of the streets, parks or other public places within the City in violation of § 106-3 shall be taken into custody by the City police and delivered to his parent, guardian or person having the legal custody of such child and a report thereof made to the Chief of Police, who shall make a record thereof in a book kept for that purpose, and if such parent, guardian or person having the legal custody of such child shall again allow him to be in or upon said streets, parks or other public places in violation of § 106-3 such parent, guardian or person having the legal custody of such child so offending shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided in § 1-18A, and a like penalty shall be imposed on any person aiding or abetting in the violation of the intent and purpose of §§ 106-3 and 106-4.

§ 106-6 Effect of multiple violations.

Any child who shall violate the provisions of § 106-3 more than three times shall be reported by the Chief of Police to the City Attorney for such action as he may deem proper under the provisions of § 92 of Article 26 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, 1957.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Said section was apparently deleted during revision of the Annotated Code of Maryland. For current statutory provisions regarding juvenile causes, see § 3-801 et seq. of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

§ 106-7 Determination of age.

City police officers, in taking children into custody under the provisions of § 106-5, shall use their discretion in determining age, and in doubtful cases may require positive proof, and until such proof is furnished the officer's judgment shall prevail.