Township of Chartiers, PA Chapter 141 Curfew

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Chartiers 7-29-1970 by Ord. No. 57. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 141-1 Definitions.

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

ESTABLISHMENT

Any privately owned place of business carried on for a profit or any place of amusement or entertainment to which the public is invited.

MINOR

Any person under the age of 18 years.

OFFICIAL TOWNSHIP TIME

Eastern standard time, except from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, when it shall be Eastern daylight saving time.[1]

OPERATOR

Any individual, firm, association, partnership, or corporation operating, managing or conducting any establishment, and whenever used in any clause prescribing a penalty, the term "operator," as applied to associations or partnerships, shall include the members or the partners thereof or, as applied to corporations, shall include the officers thereof.

PARENT

Any natural parent of a minor, a guardian or any adult person, 21 years of age or over, responsible for the care and custody of a minor.

PUBLIC PLACE

Any public street, highway, road, alley, park, playground, public building or vacant lot.

REMAIN

To loiter, idle, wander, stroll, or play in or upon.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 141-2 Unlawful conduct of minors.

A. It shall be unlawful for any minor to remain in or upon any public place or establishment between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. of the following day, official Township time, except that on Fridays and Saturdays the hours shall be from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. of the following day.[1]

(1) Except that during the period during June 1 through August 31, the curfew or restrictive hours shall be between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. of the following day each day of the week.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any minor accompanied by a parent or to any minor upon an errand or other legitimate business directed by such minor's parent or to any minor engaged in gainful, lawful employment during the curfew hours.

C. Each violation of the provisions of the section shall constitute a separate offense.

§ 141-3 Unlawful conduct of parents.

A. It shall be unlawful for any parent to knowingly permit any minor to remain in or upon any public place or any establishment between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. of the following day, official Township time, except that on Fridays and Saturdays the hours shall be from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. of the following day.

(1) Except that during the period from June 1 through August 31, the curfew or restrictive hours shall be between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. of the following day each day of the week.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any parent who accompanies a minor or who directs a minor upon an errand or other legitimate business or to any parent of a minor engaged in gainful, lawful employment during the curfew hours.

C. Each violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

§ 141-4 Unlawful conduct of owners or operators of establishments.

A. It shall be unlawful for any operator of any establishment or their agents or employees to knowingly permit any minor to remain upon the premises of said establishment between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. of the following day, official Township time, except that on Fridays and Saturdays the hours shall be between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. of the following day.

(1) Except that during the period from June 1 through August 31, the curfew or restrictive hours shall be from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. of the following day each day of the week.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

B. Each violation of this provision shall constitute a separate offense.

§ 141-5 Enforcement and penalties.

A. Any police officer who finds a minor violating the provisions of this chapter shall obtain information from such minor as to his name and address, age, and the name and address of his parent or parents. The minor shall thereupon be instructed to proceed to his home forthwith and if possible shall be so accompanied by the police officer. The police officer shall ascertain, if possible, if the parent or parents are at home and if so notify them verbally of the violation of both the parent and the child. If the parent or parents are not found at home, the police officer shall make such report to his superior officer or supervisor. In all cases, whether or not the verbal notice has been given, a written notice shall also be mailed to the parent or parents of the minor advising them of the violation of this chapter.

B. Any parent who shall permit a minor to violate the provisions of this chapter after having received notice of a prior violation shall be fined not less than $10 and not more than $25, plus costs, for each violation, together with judgment of imprisonment not exceeding 10 days, if any fine is imposed, together with costs, and if said costs and fine are not paid within 10 days of the date of the imposition thereof. Prosecution shall be before any Magisterial District Judge in the Township of Chartiers, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and all fines imposed and collected shall be paid into the Township Treasury for the use of the Township.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

C. Any operator of any establishment or any agents or employees of any operator who shall violate the provisions of this chapter shall be fined not less than $25 and not more than $50, plus costs, for each violation, together with judgment of imprisonment, not exceeding 30 days if any fine is imposed, together with costs, is not paid within 10 days of the date of imposition thereof. Prosecutions shall be before any Magisterial District Judge in the Township of Chartiers, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and all fines imposed and collected shall be paid to the Township Treasury for the use of the Township.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 141-6 Special events.

Where there are special events programs or functions by properly organized and supervised organizations to advance legitimate recreation, character development, religious training and school activities in the building of good citizenship in young people, Chartiers Township Police Department will grant special consideration for such cases upon receipt of notice thereof, and the minors will be permitted to proceed directly home from the event without incident.