Judge Blocks D.C. Curfew for Minors for a Second Time
A federal judge today stopped the District of Columbia from enforcing a curfew for minors for the second time, saying the city law raised serious constitutional questions.
“There are serious First, Fourth and Fifth amendment concerns raised in this case,” U.S. Judge Charles R. Richey ruled.
The curfew had been scheduled to take effect at 11 p.m. but was successfully challenged for the second time by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Judge Richey granted a request by the ACLU for a 10-day temporary restraining order against the city.
The law would have required all people under the age of 18 to be off the city’s streets by 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends.
Richey had blocked the earlier curfew bill last month.
The city then rewrote the bill, adding a number of exemptions for youngsters accompanied by their parents, those employed at night, those in automobiles or returning home from educational or religious activities.
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