Curfew Unblocked ((full)) May 2026

Curfew Unblocked: Rethinking Juvenile Restrictions Through Libertarian Paternalism and Community Trust

Empirical studies from the past two decades present a mixed picture. A 2016 meta-analysis in the Journal of Criminal Justice found that curfews produced, at best, a modest short-term reduction in daytime crimes but no significant effect on nighttime juvenile victimization. Moreover, enforcement often falls disproportionately on minority youth, leading to “status offense” citations that clog juvenile courts. In San Diego, a five-year study following curfew repeal showed no statistically significant rise in juvenile crime, yet a 40% drop in curfew-related arrests, freeing police for higher-priority calls. curfew unblocked

[Author], “Curfew Unblocked: Rethinking Juvenile Restrictions,” Journal of Progressive Criminology , forthcoming. freeing police for higher-priority calls. [Author]