Curfew Ordinance
The city of Minnetonka’s curfew ordinance parallels that of Hennepin County.
Children must be off the streets by the following times, based on their age and the day of the week:
| Age | Curfew: Sunday through Thursday |
Curfew: Friday and Saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Younger than 12 | 9 p.m. | 10 p.m. |
| 12, 13, 14 | 10 p.m. | 11 p.m. |
| 15, 16, 17 | 11 p.m. | Midnight |
Kids have curfews in Hennepin County. And it’s not just to keep your kids out of trouble—it’s to protect them from becoming victims as well.
Many Hennepin County parents and children don’t know there are nighttime curfews for all kids under 18. If a juvenile is caught out after hours by police, they could be charged with a petty offense.
Hennepin County adopted a countywide curfew ordinance in 1994 in response to a significant increase in juvenile crime and victimization. Many juvenile crimes occur during curfew hours. There also were different curfews in different cities—the ordinance standardized curfews throughout the county.
Kids are particularly susceptible to becoming victims of older perpetrators during nighttime hours. The younger the person, the more likely they are to be a victim of a crime.
Curfews apply to anyone under age 18, at any public place, including streets, common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities and shops. Parents always can set tighter curfews.
Law enforcement officers can ask for information about why a juvenile is out after curfew. They can’t issue a citation, detain someone or take them into custody unless, after speaking to the child and considering the circumstances, they reasonably believe the child has violated the ordinance and no exceptions apply.
What are the exceptions? If a juvenile can prove that:
- They are accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult.
- They are working or going to and from work.
- There is an emergency situation.
- They are going to, attending or coming home from an official school, religious or recreational activity, sponsored or supervised by a public entity or civic organization.
- They are on an errand at the direction of a parent or guardian.
- They are exercising First Amendment rights, protected by the federal or state constitution.
- They are engaged in interstate travel.
- They are on a public right-of-way, boulevard or sidewalk abutting property where they live or a neighbor’s property.
Sanctions may include a fine up to $100, community service, a chemical dependency evaluation, a drug awareness or other outpatient treatment program, and will include probation.
The curfew ordinance doesn’t just apply to kids—it’s unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly, or through negligent supervision, permit a juvenile to be out after curfew. It’s also unlawful for the proprietor of an establishment to knowingly let a juvenile remain there during curfew hours. A defense is if they can show that they reasonably or in good faith relied on the juvenile’s proof of age, or promptly notified police that juveniles were on their property after curfew. Both offenses by parents or proprietors are misdemeanors, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
The Minnetonka Police Department has business-size cards and refrigerator magnets, available in four languages (English, Hmong, Spanish and Somali), which show curfew times. Please call Nicole Nelson at 952.939.8546 if you would like one sent to you.
This information is from the Hennepin County Web site.
