NCJ Number
184475
Journal
American Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2000 Pages: 259-269
Date Published
2000
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examines one city’s experience with a juvenile curfew ordinance.
Abstract
The study compared characteristics of youths detained by the police for curfew violation with teenagers who did not have such police contact. A self-report survey administered to middle and high school students in Largo, FL, disclosed that curfew violators admitted more minor and serious delinquency, as well as status offenses, than non-curfew violators and curfew violators also experienced more involvement in criminal victimization. This study demonstrates the diversity of issues involved in handling curfew violators. Youths who have been picked up for curfew violations might benefit from referrals to other community programs that target at-risk youths. Perhaps schools or other social service agencies could empower parents with information regarding curfew violators and offer suggestions on parenting skills. As demonstrated by previous studies, enforcement of juvenile curfews has a negligible impact on juvenile crime and victimization. This article suggests that perhaps the focus should be on prevention and intervention for curfew violators and not punishment. Table, references