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Should Youth Curfew Law Violate A Juvenile's Constitutional Rights?

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Since the early 20th Century there has been great debate whether youth having a youth curfew law violates the constitution. According to legal-dictionary, a curfew is when local ordinances and state statutes may make it unlawful for minors below a certain age to be on public streets, unless they are accompanied by a parent or an adult or on lawful and necessary business on behalf of their parents or guardians. In recent years, a number of local juvenile curfew laws have been challenged on the grounds that the laws violate the First Amendment and other guarantees provided under U.S. and state constitutions. I believe that the law does not violate a juvenile’s constitutional rights and has many benefits when it comes to controlling and preventing …show more content…

Carl Pickhardt, believes the curfew law helps keep youth off of the streets especially when it is late at night. Risks can become greater as the hour gets later, with more people who are out being fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Also, he says, later hours may have more obstacles for your child, as they might face exposure to more decisions about conduct. ("Effects of Teen Curfews") In addition, the law protects youth from being victims of crime. Politician and writer from Atlanta, Georgia Jeff Dickinson proposed a curfew law to the legislators of Atlanta. This curfew law would establish restrictions on minors after a certain time of the day. In his proposal parents would be penalized if their child was a repeated offender. In November of 1990, Atlanta established a curfew law that would put everyone under the age of 16 to be in their homes by 8:00 p.m., if they were caught outside of their homes beyond that time, they would be arrested, and brought home to their parents. ("The Courts") Under the 1993 curfew law, police detained 204 repeated offenders, took 293 children home, and arrested 99 parents. Some police officers in Atlanta say that the curfew ordinance has helped curb, but not eliminate juvenile delinquency. Crimes still occur, but 25% of youth crimes have decreased, proving the ordinance is working. ("The

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