Florida Juvenile Curfews
Although I don't pretend to be an expert on the First Amendment (freedom of speech) or the 14th Ammendment (equal protection) of the United States Constitution I do see a real problem with juvenile curfews. In Pasco County, juveniles are not to be out of their homes, without a parent or guradian, "between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and between midnight and 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays." See Pasco County Ordinances
Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties had similar laws several years ago which were struck down as uncontitutional. Whether you think this is a good or bad law is your opinion. But from my lawyerly perspective - juvenile curfews are not good. It merely allows the police one more reason to stop and harrass kids. The police already have enough reasons - or at least they say they do in their police reports. And kids don't know the law - most adults don't know the law. So if a police officer stops them for a curfew violation, then wants to search them, they can. Note, that this is without warning them of their rights and without their parents present. I may not be an expert on equal protection or freedom of speech, but I do know a bit about the 4th Amendment - illegal search and seizures - and it seems to me, a juvenile curfew allows this.
