El Paso's long-standing juvenile curfew to cease due to new Texas legislation
Published: Tue, 08/15/23
El Paso's long-standing juvenile curfew to cease due to new Texas legislation
El Paso Downtown Skyline
Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
KFOX14
by Ariana Parra
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — A city ordinance that has been in effect for over 30 years, will no longer serve a purpose in El Paso.
The city will no longer be able to enforce its juvenile curfew starting September 1.
A new bill from the 88th Texas legislative session, House Bill 1819, prohibits cities from enforcing an ordinance that imposes a curfew to regulate the movements or actions of anyone younger than 18 years old, except for purposes of emergency management.
The current city ordinance does not allow minors to be in any public place within city limits from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The ordinance created a criminal offense (class C misdemeanor) for minors and their parents if caught.
It was originally adopted in 1991 and is set to expire August 17.
Instead, the City will update all sections of the juvenile curfew ordinance to amend and delete the section because HB1819 will supersede it.
One El Pasoan told KFOX14 they believe the city should keep the ordinance.
“I don't think that's the best idea, especially for a city like El Paso. We have trouble with kids on the freeways and staying up late and getting into trouble all the time.”
Another El Pasoan agreed.
"I think its a bad idea not to have a curfew," the El Pasoan said. "Having a curfew, I believe it stops them from getting in trouble and committing crimes."
However, one El Pasoan said that she doesn't think the ordinance "makes a difference."
"I see a lot of kids out there still and I don't see the law doing anything about it.”
Any violations of the juvenile curfew ordinance will not be able to be prosecuted after September 1.
However, final convictions or adjudications will remain unaffected.
The City Attorney's Office will be working with the Municipal Court to have all 43 pending juvenile ordinance cases dismissed.
To see the city's presentation about the ordinance, click here.