The Detroit curfew sets two age-based windows for minors on public property: anyone 15 or younger must be off the streets from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, and 16- and 17-year-olds from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, every night of the year. The rules sit in Chapter 29, Article III of the Detroit City Code, and a violation can cost the parent money even when the minor is the one who was out.1Municode Library. Detroit Code of Ordinances Chapter 29 – Minors
Hours by Age
The split matters. A 16-year-old walking home at 10:30 PM is within the law; a 15-year-old on the same block at the same time is not.
- Age 15 and under: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
- Ages 16 and 17: 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Emancipated minors are generally exempt, but an officer has no way to confirm that status in the moment. Anyone relying on emancipation should carry the court order.
Where the Curfew Applies
Section 29-3-11 reaches any public street, sidewalk, playground, vacant lot, or other unsupervised public place inside city limits.1Municode Library. Detroit Code of Ordinances Chapter 29 – Minors Parks, alleys, public parking lots, and the ground around public buildings all count. The “other unsupervised public place” language is broad on purpose.
Being inside a vehicle doesn’t change the analysis. A minor sitting in a parked car on a public street during restricted hours is just as exposed as one walking the sidewalk, and the same goes for bus stops and transit waiting areas. If you’re under 18 during curfew hours and not in a private residence or on supervised private property, you can be stopped.
Who’s Exempt
The ordinance builds in exceptions so that lawful nighttime activity stays lawful:
- A minor accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or another responsible adult.
- A minor traveling directly to or from a lawful job. A work permit or employer letter is the easiest proof if stopped.
- A minor seeking urgent medical care or responding to an emergency.
- A minor attending religious services, political demonstrations, or other activity protected by the First Amendment.
Each exception requires that the minor actually be doing the protected thing or traveling straight to or from it. “On my way to a friend’s house” is not covered, and officers will ask enough questions to decide whether an exception genuinely fits.
What Happens to the Minor
When an officer finds a minor in violation, the usual step is to take them into custody, transport them to a designated location, and call the parents or guardians to come pick them up. A citation goes with the stop.
A first encounter is typically oriented toward getting the minor home. Repeated violations can lead to a petition in juvenile court, where a judge can impose conditions on both the minor and the family, including programming or community service.
What Happens to the Parent
Parents and guardians carry their own exposure. A parent who knowingly allows a child to violate the curfew can be charged with a misdemeanor.
In mid-2025, the Detroit City Council reset the penalty structure. The fine is $250 for a first offense and $500 for a second, and jail time was removed as a possible punishment.1Municode Library. Detroit Code of Ordinances Chapter 29 – Minors A cited parent can avoid the fine entirely by completing parental courses and enrolling the child in city-offered programming. The 36th District Court also has discretion to route families toward community-based treatment, family services, and employment assistance instead of a fine.
Halloween Brings an Earlier Cutoff
Detroit has long tightened the curfew around Halloween, when the October 29–31 window was historically tied to arson and property damage. The city has imposed a 6:00 PM curfew for minors during that stretch, several hours earlier than the standard 10:00 or 11:00 PM. The exact dates and hours are announced each year, so watch for the city’s announcement as October approaches. Enforcement during these periods works the same way as a standard curfew stop, and the earlier cutoff catches families who don’t realize it has shifted.2City of Detroit. Halloween in the D
Clearing a Juvenile Record Afterward
If a curfew case reached juvenile court and produced an adjudication, that record does not disappear on the minor’s 18th birthday. Michigan requires a separate application to set it aside under MCL 712A.18e.3Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 712A.18e
The application has to be filed with the court that handled the original case, and it cannot be filed until at least one year after the court’s jurisdiction over the person ends. Up to three misdemeanor-level juvenile adjudications can be set aside, as long as the applicant has no adult felony convictions. The decision is discretionary, not automatic.3Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 712A.18e Until the court grants the application, the adjudication can surface on background checks for jobs, college, or military enlistment, so it’s worth filing once the waiting period passes.