Rules of the Curfew

D.C. police will begin enforcing a new curfew tonight. It requires youths 16 and younger to be off the streets between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Here are the details:

Who set the 10 p.m. time?

Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D), under emergency legislation passed by the D.C. Council.

Even on weekends?

Yes.

Didn't the District already have a curfew?

Yes, under a law that took effect in 1999. That curfew was 12:01 a.m. in July and August. During the rest of the year, the cutoff time was 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 12:01 a.m. on weekends. The structure of that law remains intact; the only difference is that the mayor now has the right to set the curfew time as early as 10 p.m. He is doing exactly that in hopes of curbing a rise in juvenile crime.

How long will the new curfew be in effect?

Until Aug. 30, although the mayor could extend it.

Does the law cover youths who don't live in the District?

Yes. Anyone 16 or younger is required to follow the law while in the city.

What happens to youths caught violating the curfew?