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The Laws On Curfews For Young Adults Under The Age Of 18

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Midnight Memories We have all heard the saying, “nothing good happens after midnight”. Many of the largest cities in the United States have enacted laws on curfews for young adults under the age of 18 years old. These laws are positioned to respond, in a positive manner, to the problems that arise when minors are out at all times of the night. These problems can cause an unsafe environment for not only the youth, but for the general public out late at night. Although curfews are not enacted in all major cities, this law is initiated to protect minors because it aids in reducing crime; assisting parents in setting boundaries for their children; and protecting non-delinquents from being the victim of a crime. In the United States, metropolitan areas consistently battle controlling the crime rate in their cities. Crimes committed by minors during curfew hours make up 84 percent of the 88 percent of the crime that take place during curfew hours (City Mayor). By placing a curfew on minors, we are getting them off the streets that could be filled with career criminals. The law encourages minors to be in their homes and in a safe environment instead of being influenced to participate in misguided activities while being out at night. Some examples of misguided activities might be: drag racing, vandalism, trespassing and drug use. “In a new survey by the National League of Cities, 97 percent of cities and towns with nighttime curfews report a drop in juvenile crime” (Connect

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