Birmingham curfew
The Birmingham curfew is a city ordinance created in part to address problems with crime in Birmingham. The ordinance is described in Title 11, "Crimes and Offenses", Chapter 6, "Offenses Against Public Order and Safety", Article A, "General Provisions", Section 20, "Birmingham Curfew Hours, Enforcement and Penalties for Violation" of the General Code of the City of Birmingham (1980).
The current curfew ordinance took effect on October 1, 2008.
1996 curfew ordinance
A 9:00 PM curfew for minors was instituted by the Birmingham City Council in January 1996. The law was recommended by mayor Richard Arrington, Jr along with a proposal to hire 80 new police officers. Until 2008 the penalty for violating curfew was a warning for the first offense and a $25 fine for additional offenses.
2008 curfew ordinance
At its August 19, 2008 meeting the Birmingham City Council approved changes to the city's curfew law to become effective on October 1. The increased punishments were recommended by Mayor Larry Langford. The measure passed by a vote of 8-1 with Roderick Royal the only member to vote against the final version.
Under the new law all minors 17 years old and younger must not be on city streets between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM on weekdays or between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM on weekends. First time offenders will be subject to a fine of $500, as set by a municipal judge. Repeat violators must appear in court and are subject to higher fines and possible jail time or community service for themselves and their parents.
References
- Bryant, Joseph D. (August 20, 2008) "Birmingham council passes curfew rules." Birmingham News
External links
- curfew brochure (5.6 MB) at birminghamal.gov