Pasco County Curfew: What Parents Need To Know

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A reminder from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office about a mandatory curfew for underage kids has more than a few parents wondering just what it takes to ensure they don’t run afoul of the law that could cost them cold, hard cash for violations.

The sheriff’s office took to Facebook on Tuesday, reminding parents of the county ordinance. “Deputies will be actively enforcing this curfew as kids are out of school for the summer,” the post warned. First-time violations generally result in a warning, but repeat violations come with a civil fine of $50 a pop, the sheriff’s office noted. Also, minors caught violating the curfew won’t be brought home.

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“The minor shall be transported to a police station,” the sheriff’s office warned on Facebook. Parents, the sheriff’s office reminded, “have a legal responsibility to make sure their minors do not violate this ordinance.”

With that in mind, here are the rules of the road parents need to know, according to the county’s ordinance:

Who The Curfew Applies To

A minor subject to the mandatory curfew is defined as anyone under the age of 18.

The Times Kids Can’t Be In Public

Under the county’s ordinance, it is unlawful for kids to be in or remain in public places or establishments between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays; except for legal holidays.

The curfew for Fridays and Saturdays runs from 12:01 to 6 a.m. Those are also the hours set for legal holidays.

When school is in session, kids who have been suspended or expelled from classes “may not be or remain in a public place, in any establishment, or within 1,000 feet of a school during the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during any school day,” the ordinance reads.

The Exemptions

As with most rules, there are exceptions. In the case of Pasco’s curfew, minors may be out past the set hours:

• If they are accompanied by a parent or other adult authorized by the parent
• If the minor is engaged in running an emergency errand with parent’s permission
• If the child is traveling to or from an activity that is protected under the Constitution’s First Amendment
• If the child is traveling to or from a legal place of employment
• If the child is traveling to or from a school-sponsored function, a religious function or a civic association function
• If the minor is on the property or sidewalk where he or she lives or on the property of an adult next-door neighbor who grants permission
• If the child is at an organized event at a theme park or entertainment complex
• If the child is engaged in interstate or intrastate travel with parental consent

More information about the county’s curfew can be found online.

Image via Shutterstock