More than 30 metro Atlanta cities have adopted curfew laws that ban minors from being outside their homes without adult supervision at a certain time of night. The laws restrict minors from wandering, loitering or playing in public areas and walkways during curfew hours unless traveling to or from work, a church event or a school-sanctioned event. A look at cities that have curfews and the limits they impose.
Midnight to 5 a.m. for children under 17
Clayton County, Morrow; Cobb County, Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Smyrna; DeKalb County, Avondale Estates, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake; Gwinnett County, Berkeley Lake, Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Peachtree Corners, Snellville, Sugar Hill, Suwanee.
11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday for children 17 and under
Clayton County, Forest Park*, Lake City, Lovejoy, Riverdale; Cobb County, Powder Springs; DeKalb County, Chamblee; Fulton County, Chattahoochee Hills, East Point*, Fairburn, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park,
Palmetto, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Union City; Gwinnett County, Norcross.
Varied, for children under 17
Doraville (DeKalb) — 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11:59 p.m.-6 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Stone Mountain (DeKalb) — 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday
College Park (Fulton)* — 8 p.m. (13 and under) or 11 p.m. (14-17) to 6 a.m. every day
Conyers (Rockdale) — 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday
*Curfew begins earlier for younger children
How it's enforced: Minors are often held until they can be turned over to a parent or guardian. Penalties vary by city and county. A curfew violation could result in a court-ordered fine, community service, diversion program or imprisonment. In most jurisdictions, both the child and the parent/guardian are held responsible.
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