Young people under the age of 17 will be permitted to stay outdoors in public places an additional hour during July and August, as the District’s summer curfew hours go into effect.

Beginning July 1 and continuing through Aug. 31, the curfew for young people will begin at one minute after midnight and be lifted at 6 a.m. every day of the week.

D.C. law prohibits persons younger than 17 from remaining in or on a street, park or other outdoor public place, in a vehicle or on the premises of any establishment within the District during curfew hours. The law applies to all young people who are in the District during curfew hours, regardless of the location of their legal residence.

Exemptions to the curfew are permitted for such activities as work, school, religious, civic or organized recreational events, as well as the exercise of First Amendment rights.

Metropolitan Police officials, in reminding the public of the curfew, note that the primary goal in enforcing the law is to reunite young people and their families, but warn that penalties will be imposed for repeat offenders.

The summer curfew is one hour later Sunday through Thursday nights than the normal 11 p.m. curfew during the school year. The 12:01 a.m. curfew is in effect Friday and Saturday nights throughout the year.

Copyright 2003, The Common Denominator