A public hearing was held at the Orange City Council Meeting concerning re-adoption of the Juvenile Curfew Ordinance. This ordinance is considered to be an effective tool to safeguard children from being victims of crime while also discouraging juvenile crime. A second public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at 9 am during the regularly scheduled council meeting in the Orange Public Library Auditorium, 220 N. Fifth Street, Orange, TX. After the second public hearing, the city council will consider re-adopting the ordinance for another three years.
Curfew hours for minors (under 17 years of age):
Sunday – 11 P.M. until 6 A.M. Monday
Monday – 11 P.M. until 6 A.M. Tuesday
Tuesday – 11 P.M. until 6 A.M. Wednesday
Wednesday –11 P.M. until 6 A.M. Thursday
Thursday – 11 P.M. until 6 A.M. Friday
Friday – 12 A.M. until 6 A.M. Saturday
Saturday – 12 A.M. until 6 A.M. Sunday
A minor can be exempt from the curfew if:
(1) Accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian; (2) Accompanied by an adult authorized by a parent or guardian; (3) On an errand at the direction of the minor’s parent or guardian, with the name, signature, address and telephone number of the parent authorizing the errand; (4) In a vehicle involved in interstate travel; (5) Engaged in an employment activity, or going to or returning home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop; (6) Involved in a case of “reasonable necessity” after parental notification of the police; (7) Involved in an emergency; (8) 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; (9) Attending an official school, religious or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by, the city, civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor; (10) 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; (11) Married or had been married or had disabilities of minority removed in accordance with Chapter 31 of the Texas Family Code; or (12) Engaged in lawful volunteer or charity work at a recognized charity institution or is going to or coming from such activity without detour or stop.
Please review Article 7.1400: Curfew for Minors, in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Orange for additional information here.