A Critical Look at Philadelphia’s Curfew Law
Written by Kimberly Stratton, ’19
A curfew is a law, regulation, or ordinance that forbids a particular class of people—typically, minors—from being outdoors in public places during prohibited times. This paper will review the political foundation for curfew laws and then examine their inherent flaws. A critical review of the application of curfew laws will reveal the disparate impact of these laws on low-income families, along with their inability to reduce juvenile crime. The paper will conclude by discussing a potential constitutional challenge to Philadelphia’s curfew law.