[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Franklin 6-28-1994
by Ord. No. 1840 (Ch. 108 of the 1990 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Peace and good order — See Ch. 265.
A.
The New Jersey Legislature recently enacted P.L. 1992, Chapter 132, which authorizes municipalities to adopt ordinances regulating the presence of minors in public places between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; and
B.
The Mayor and Township Council of the Township of Franklin
concur with the sentiments of the New Jersey Legislature that limiting a minor's
access to public places during certain hours is in the minor's and society's
best interest;
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall be defined to
mean:
11:59 p.m. on any day until 6:00 a.m. of the following day.
[Amended 6-25-1996 by Ord. No. 1964]
An unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state
that calls for immediate action. The term includes, but is not limited to,
a fire, a natural disaster, an automobile accident, or any situation requiring
immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life.
Any privately owned place of business operated for a profit to which
the public is invited, including but not limited to any place of amusement
or entertainment.
A person who, under court order, is the guardian of the person of
a minor; or a public or private agency with whom a minor has been placed by
a court.
8:00 p.m., until 6:00 a.m. the following day, from October 28 until
November 1 inclusive.
[Added 9-14-1999 by Ord. No. 3069]
Any person under 18 years of age.
A person who is a natural parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent
of another person; or at least 18 years of age and authorized by a parent
or guardian to have the care and custody of a minor.
Any place to which the public has access, including but not limited
to a public street, road, thoroughfare, sidewalk, bridge, alley, plaza, park,
recreation, athletic or shopping area, public transportation facility, vehicle
used for public transportation, parking lot or any other public building,
structure or area.
To linger or stay; or fail to leave premises when requested to do
so by a police officer or the owner, operator, or other person in control
of the premises.
Bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes
death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of
the function of any bodily member or organ.
[Amended 9-14-1999 by Ord. No. 3069]
A.
A minor commits an offense if he/she remains in any public
place or on the premises of any establishment within the Township during curfew
hours or during Halloween hours.
B.
A parent or guardian of a minor commits an offense if
the parent knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor
to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within
the Township during curfew hours or during Halloween curfew hours.
It is a defense to prosecution under § 161-3 that the minor was:
A.
Accompanied by the minor's parent or guardian.
B.
On a errand at the direction of the minor's parent or
guardian, without any detour or stop.
C.
In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel.
D.
Engaged in an employment activity or going to or returning
home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop.
E.
Involved in an emergency.
F.
On the sidewalk abutting the minor's residence or abutting
the residence of a next-door neighbor if the neighbor did not complain to
the Police Department about the minor's presence.
G.
Attending an official school, religious, or other recreational
activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the Township of Franklin, a
civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for
the minor or going to or returning home from, without any detour or stop,
an official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by
adults and sponsored by the Township of Franklin, a civic organization, or
another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor.
H.
Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United
States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech,
and the right of assembly.
Before taking any enforcement action under this chapter, a police officer shall ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being in the public place. The officer shall not issue a citation or make an arrest under this chapter unless the officer reasonably believes that an offense has occurred and that, based on any response and other circumstances, no defense in § 161-4 is present.
