Houma Police Department begins curfew for juveniles

Houma Police have been receiving numerous complaints of juveniles playing basketball and other sports on city and parish streets. Houma Police would like to remind citizens that the positioning of any sporting equipment, playing of ball sports or related activities on a city or parish street is hereby prohibited. A $50.00-fine can be imposed for violating this law.

With summer quickly approaching, the Houma Police Department in an effort to promote safety and the well being of our community and citizens will be stepping up patrols regarding juvenile curfew violations. Houma Police are asking parents to be mindful of the law concerning curfew for minors.

Sec. 19-3. Curfew for minors.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to loiter, idle, wander, stroll, walk, play or drive any vehicle, whether motorized or not, in or upon streets, highways, alleys, parks, playgrounds, wharves, docks or other public grounds, public places, and public buildings, bus stations, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots or other unsupervised places between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Monday through Thursday, and during the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Friday through Sunday; however, the provisions of this subsection do not apply to a minor accompanied by his parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor. Each violation of the provisions of this subsection shall constitute a separate offense and shall be a misdemeanor.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to drive between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Monday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Friday through Sunday.

(c) If any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years is attending any organized adult supervised function, whether religious, school, civic or any other, the minor shall be allowed one (1) extra hour grace period to return home or to the place agreed upon by the minor’s parents, guardian, or person having the care, custody and control of the minor.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any parent, guardian or other person having the care and custody of a minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to permit such minor to loiter, idle, wander, stroll, walk, play or drive any vehicle, whether motorized or not, in or upon streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, wharves, docks, or other public grounds, public places, and public buildings, bus stations, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots or other unsupervised places, whether public or private, between the hours as defined and regulated by subsection (a); however, the provisions of this subsection do not apply to a minor accompanied by his parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor, or when the minor is upon an emergency errand or legitimate purpose directed by his parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor. Each violation of the provisions of this subsection shall constitute a separate offense and shall be a misdemeanor.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person operating or in charge of any place of amusement, entertainment or refreshment to permit any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to remain in such place during the hours prohibited by this section; however, this subsection shall not apply when such minor is accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor. Each violation of the provisions of this subsection shall constitute a separate offense.

(f) Any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years who shall be found to loiter, idle, wander, stroll, walk, play or drive any vehicle, whether motorized or not, in or upon streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, wharves, docks or other public grounds, public places, and public buildings, bus stations, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots, private property, or other unsupervised places, whether public or private, between the hours as defined and regulated by subsection (a) herein, shall be presumed to be acting without the authority or permission of his parent, guardian, or the adult person having the care and custody of the minor. This presumption may be rebutted by the testimony of the parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a minor accompanied by his parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor.

For more information, contact Interim Chief Todd M. Duplantis Houma Police Department (985) 873-6319