The City of Charlotte has enacted a Youth Protection Ordinance that imposes a curfew for juveniles under 16 years of age.  Juveniles under the age of 13 cannot be in a public place or business from 10:00 pm until 6:00 am on any day of the week.  Juveniles ages 13-15 cannot be in a public place or business from 11:00 pm until 6:00 am on any day of the week (unless they fall within one of the exceptions listed below).
 
A person will be in violation of this ordinance if they are:
 
A juvenile and he/she is in a public place or premises of an establishment during the restricted hours.
 
A parent, guardian or custodian of a juvenile and he/she knowingly allows a juvenile to remain in a public place or on the premises of an establishment during the restricted hours.
 
A business owner or operator and he/she knowingly allows a juvenile to remain upon the premises during the restricted hours.
 
A person 16 years of age or older who aids and abets a juvenile in violating this ordinance.   
 
A juvenile that violates this ordinance is subject to being adjudicated delinquent.
 
Any person other than a juvenile who violates this ordinance is guilty of a misdemeanor which requires a mandatory court appearance.

 
A juvenile who is in a public place or business during the restricted hours is not in violation of this ordinance if they are:

1. Accompanied by a parent or guardian.
    
2. Accompanied by an adult 21 years or older who is authorized to be accompanying    the juvenile for the designated period of time and purpose.
    
3. On an errand, using a direct route, until 10:30 p.m. for juveniles under the age of 13 and 11:30 p.m. for juveniles ages 13-15.
    
4. In a motor vehicle, with parental consent, engaged in interstate travel through the city originating or terminating the city.
5. Traveling in a motor vehicle with a parent or guardian or other authorized person adult age 21 or older.
    
6. Engaged in lawful employment or using a direct route to or from a place of employment.
    
7. Reacting or responding to an emergency.
    
8. Attending or traveling to or from an official function sponsored by the schools, a government or religious entity, a civic organization, or other entity that accepts responsibility for the juveniles.
    
9. Exercising first amendment rights such as a free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and the right to assembly.
    
10. Married or emancipated.
     
11. When authorized by special permit from the Chief of Police when the necessary nighttime activities of the juveniles are not adequately addressed by other provisions of this ordinance.