City of Laurel to Expand Curfew for Minors, Exceptions Apply

In order to enhance public safety, especially that of the city’s young people, Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee issued an executive order on Wednesday, July 9^th to expand the city’s curfew for minors. Currently, the curfew for minors is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

The new executive order will expand the curfew so that it applies to all seven days of the week.

However, several exceptions will still apply. A minor will not be deemed to be in violation of the curfew if they are:

1. With their parent or legal guardian.
2. Running an errand directly for their parent or guardian, without making any stops along the way.
3. In a car traveling across state lines.
4. Going to or coming from a job, as long as it’s within 45 minutes before or after their work shift, and they have a written statement from their employer showing they are employed.
5. Dealing with an emergency.
6. On the sidewalk right outside their home or a next-door neighbor’s home—unless that neighbor has reported them to the police.
7. Attending a school, church, city-sponsored, or civic event supervised by adults, as long as the event is held at a location owned or leased by the sponsoring group, or at a business where adults are in charge and are responsible for the minor. The minor must stay inside the building during curfew hours unless they’re going straight there or heading straight home afterward without stopping anywhere else.
8. Participating in a First Amendment activity, like attending a religious service, speaking at a protest, or joining a peaceful assembly.
9. Married, previously married, legally emancipated, or otherwise recognized as independent under Mississippi law.
10. Covered under any of the exceptions listed in Mississippi’s Compulsory School Attendance Law (Section 37-13-91 of the Mississippi Code).
11. Attending the South Mississippi Fair during its annual week at the Laurel Fairgrounds, or traveling directly to or from the fair without stopping anywhere else.

“We want to make sure that our young people are safe every night and are being properly supervised by their parents and caregivers. We believe that expanding the curfew to apply to every night of the week, will help us keep everyone safe and secure so that Laurel can continue to be a great place to live, work, and play,” Mayor Magee explained.

More information can be found in the City of Laurel’s Code of Ordinances.