§ 15-20. Curfew for minors established, exceptions, penalty.

(a)

(1)

It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to be or remain in or upon any public property or public place in the unincorporated area of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, or otherwise be out in public and away from home in a boat, motor vehicle or other vehicle in the parish outside municipalities, Monday through Thursday between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. (midnight) and 5:00 a.m. of the following day.

(2)

It shall be unlawful for the parent, guardian, or other person having the care and custody of a minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to knowingly permit such child to violate any provision of this section.

(3)

For purposes of this section "public property" or "public place" means any road, street, sidewalk, right-of-way, alley, highway, park, playground or other place to which the general public has access and a right of access for business, entertainment, or other lawful purpose. A public place shall include but not be limited to any store, shop, restaurant, cafe, drug store, shopping center and any other place devoted to retail sales of any type or nature, amusement or entertainment of the general public, as well as any cemetery, schoolyard, body of water or watercourse, or parking lot. "Public property" or "public place" does not include the sidewalk (or unimproved portion of a road right-of-way extending outside the improved roadway) abutting the minor's residence, as to that minor.

(b)

However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to a minor accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor; or where the minor is upon an emergency errand; or where the minor is participating in any civic, religious or school-sponsored activity, or on the way home from such supervised activity, provided said minor is directly returning to his home from said supervised activity by the shortest possible route; or, where the minor is traveling directly to and from legitimate, gainful employment.

(c)

Any minor violating the provisions of subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be dealt with in accordance with the juvenile laws of the state including, but not limited to LA Children's Code Art. 726 et seq. Any parent, guardian, or other person who shall be found guilty of violating subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than thirty (30) days or both.

(Ord. No. 8899, 9-8-08)