Chapter 10.61
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR JUVENILES
Sections:
10.61.050 Enforcement authority.
10.61.060 Violation – Penalty.
10.61.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the “parental responsibility for juveniles law.” (Ord. 35-95 § 1, 1995).
10.61.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the words set forth in this section shall have the following meanings:
“Child” means any unemancipated person, male or female, under the age of 18 years.
“Parent” means the father, mother, or both (both being referred to in the singular as “parent”), guardian or other adult person having the legal care, custody or control of a child. (Ord. 35-95 § 2, 1995).
10.61.030 General provisions.
Except as permitted under BMC 10.61.040, no parent shall allow his or her child to remain in, on, or occupy any area of the public streets, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, any other public places and/or grounds, places of amusement, places of entertainment, commercial establishments or any unsupervised area between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on weekdays and between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. on weekends, Friday and Saturday night. (Ord. 35-95 § 3, 1995).
10.61.040 Exemptions.
A parent of the following children shall be exempt from the enforcement provisions of this chapter:
(1) A child accompanied by his or her parent;
(2) A child engaged in lawful employment;
(3) A child on an errand or on legitimate business pursuant to instructions from his or her parent;
(4) A child involved in an emergency concerning the person or property of himself or another;
(5) A child returning home from school or church sponsored activities, or from any other activities supervised by an adult. The term “returning home” means immediately and directly after participation in such activity, without a broken chain of sequences and time between the end of such event and the time such child returns to his or her residence or such other place as shall be authorized by his or her parent. (Ord. 35-95 § 4, 1995).
10.61.050 Enforcement authority.
Any law enforcement officer of the city shall have authority to reasonably stop and momentarily detain a child to obtain his or her name, age and address, as well as the name and address of his or her parent, whenever said law enforcement officer shall reasonably suspect that the parent of such child is in violation of BMC 10.61.030. Upon determining that the parent of such child is in fact in violation of BMC 10.61.030 and not exempt under BMC 10.61.040, the law enforcement officer shall direct or deliver the child to the residence of his or her parent. (Ord. 35-95 § 5, 1995).
10.61.060 Violation – Penalty.
Upon a parent’s first violation of BMC 10.61.030, written notice thereof shall be given to the parent. Upon a second such violation, a summons shall be served on the parent and a hearing shall be held before the city municipal court, at which time the parent shall appear and answer to the charge of violating this chapter. Upon a determination by the judge that a second violation has occurred, a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $300.00 shall be imposed upon the parent. Upon a third or subsequent violation involving the same child, the parent shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $300.00. (Ord. 35-95 § 6, 1995).