From Staff Reports

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Summer is underway but students are not entirely out from under rules because Wylie and other area communities impose curfews on minors.

The Wylie curfew ordinance applies to juveniles under the age of 17 and sets certain hours during which they may not be in public places. Curfew hours are 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 12:01 a.m. until 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Penalty for violating the ordinance is a fine up to $500 that may be levied against a juvenile, their parents, or a business. Parents commit an offense if they knowingly permit a minor to remain in a public place during curfew hours, and a business commits an offense if its owner or operator allows a minor to remain on the premises after curfew hours.

There are a number of defenses listed in the ordinance, such as if a juvenile is accompanied by a parent or guardian, is on an errand for a parent or guardian, is in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel, is engaged in employment or traveling to and from work, or is involved in an emergency.

Minors also are allowed to stay out late if they are on property abutting their residence, are attending a school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by adults and is sponsored by an organization that takes responsibility for the juvenile’s activities, is exercising First Amendment rights such as the free exercise of religion, speech or assembly, or if the juvenile is married.

The ordinance must be reviewed every three years by the city council to remain in effect. The last review was in 2013.