Frequently Asked Questions
 

1.  What is the curfew for Juveniles in Collierville?

Below is the listing of the state law.  Collierville has a city ordinance, but the Police Department enforces the state law.

39-17-1702. Curfew established - Exceptions - Duties of apprehending authority.

1.  It is unlawful for any minor between seventeen (17) and eighteen (18) years of age to remain in or upon any public street, highway, park, vacant lot, establishment or other public place within the county during the following time frames: 

• Monday through Thursday between the hours of eleven o'clock p.m. (11:00 p.m.) to six o'clock a.m. (6:00 a.m.).   

• Friday through Sunday between the hours of twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight to six o'clock (6:00 a.m.).   

2.  It is unlawful for any minor sixteen (16) years of age and under to remain in or upon any public street, highway, park, vacant lot, establishment or other public place within the county during the following time frames:   

• Monday through Thursday between the hours of ten o'clock p.m. (10:00 p.m.) to six o'clock a.m. (6:00 a.m.).   

• Friday through Sunday between the hours of eleven o'clock p.m. (11:00 p.m.) to six o'clock a.m. (6:00 a.m.).    

3.  It is unlawful for a parent or guardian of a minor to knowingly permit or by inefficient control to allow such minor to be or remain upon any street or establishment under circumstances not constituting an exception to, or otherwise beyond the scope of subsections (a) and (b). The term "knowingly" includes knowledge which a parent or guardian should reasonably be expected to have concerning the whereabouts of a minor in that parent's legal custody. The term "knowingly" is intended to continue to keep neglectful or careless parents up to a reasonable community standard of parental responsibility through an objective test. It is not a defense that a parent was completely indifferent to the activities or conduct or whereabouts of such minor child.   

4.  The following are valid exceptions to the operation of the curfew:   

• At any time, if a minor is accompanied by such minor's parent or guardian; 

• When accompanied by an adult authorized by a parent or guardian of such minor to take such parent or guardian's place in accompanying the minor for a designated period of time and purpose within a specified area;   

• Until the hour of twelve-thirty a.m. (12:30 a.m.), if the minor is on an errand as directed by such minor's parent;   

• If the minor is legally employed, for the period from forty-five (45) minutes before to forty-five (45) minutes after work, while going directly between the minor's home and place of employment. This exception shall also apply if the minor is in a public place during the curfew hours in the course of the minor's employment. To come within this exception, the minor must be carrying written evidence of employment which is issued by the employer;   

• Until the hour of twelve-thirty a.m. (12:30 a.m.) if the minor is on the property of or the sidewalk directly adjacent to the place where such minor resides or the place immediately adjacent thereto, if the owner of the adjacent building does not communicate an objection to the minor and the law enforcement officer; 

• When returning home by a direct route from (and within thirty (30) minutes of the termination of) a school activity or an activity of a religious or other voluntary association, or a place of public entertainment, such as a movie, play or sporting event. This exception does not apply beyond one o'clock a.m. (1:00 a.m.). 

• In the case of reasonable necessity, but only after such minor's parent has communicated to law enforcement personnel the facts establishing such reasonable necessity relating to specified streets at a designated time for a described purpose including place or origin and destination. A copy of such communication, or the record thereof, an appropriate notation of the time it was received and of the names and addresses of such parent or guardian and minor constitute evidence of qualification under this exception; 

• When exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and the right of assembly. A minor shall show evidence of the good faith of such exercise and provide notice to the city officials by first delivering to the appropriate law enforcement authority a written communication, signed by such minor, with the minor's home address and telephone number, addressed to the mayor of the county specifying when, where and in what manner the minor will be on the streets at night during hours when the curfew is still otherwise applicable to the minor in the exercise of a First Amendment right specified in such communication; and 

• When a minor is, with parental consent, in a motor vehicle engaged in good faith interstate travel. 

2.  What are the child restraint laws?