Curfew Ordinances

In response to a perception of rising juvenile crime in the 1990s, cities and counties across Texas started passing curfew ordinances that punished youth for being in public spaces during curfew hours. Although they were intended to keep youth safe and prevent crime, curfews are actually ineffective. Instead, the ordinances could burden a child with a $500 fine, adult court hearing, and a criminal record — without access to appointed counsel. Texas Appleseed worked to repeal the ordinances at the city level with some cities eliminating the ordinances and others weakening them by lowering the fines or instead giving citations to the child’s parent or guardian. Still others renewed their ordinances every few years. Given the research showing curfew ordinances are misguided and do not reduce juvenile crime, Texas Appleseed worked with lawmakers and other advocacy groups during the 2023 legislative session to abolish juvenile curfew ordinances statewide. This new law, in effect starting September 1, 2023, will make sure that these curfew ordinances no longer exist. Now, young people who are homeless, fleeing abusive situations at home, as well as young people who may be homeschooled, cannot be unfairly targeted in this manner.