Frequently Asked Questions about Juveniles

Q: Who is considered a juvenile?

A: A juvenile is a person who is 16 years old or younger.

Q: Who is considered a minor?

A: A minor is a person under the age of 18 years old.

Q: What are the legal ages for curfew, and what are the time limitations?

A: According to the State of Illinois and the Illinois Child Curfew Act, 720ILCS 555/1 it is unlawful for a person less then 17 years of age, (which means 16 years old or younger) to be present at or upon any public assembly, building, place, street or highway during the following times.

State Curfew

• Weekends between 12:01 am and 6:00 am. Weekends are Friday and Saturday nights (must be in by 12:00pm)
• Weekdays between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. Sunday night thru Thursday night (must be in by 11:00 pm)

Exceptions to this law are as follows:

1. If you were 16 YOA or younger you would be allowed out past curfew if you were accompanied by and supervised by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible companion who is at least 18 YOA and is approved of by the parent or legal guardian.
2. Having a legal job that you have to travel to and from.

Penalties:
A person convicted of this offense is guilty of a petty offense and shall not be fined less then $10 or more then $500. The court can also impose community service if they deem necessary.

Norridge Curfew
Depending on the city you live in there can be different local ordinances that your city has adopted to define curfew.

• In Norridge the differences in the law are the time limitations and ages. You must be at least 18 years old. If you are 17 or younger you must follow the curfew times for Norridge.
• Weekday curfew, 17 or younger must be in by 10:30 pm
• Weekend curfew, 17 or younger must be in by 11:00 pm
• Other cities might be different so check with your Police Dept.

Q: Can a juvenile be finger printed?

A: Yes, as of 2000 the law allows juveniles to be finger printed if they commit a criminal offense or for identification purposes. What this also means is that juveniles will also have permanent criminal records. In the past it was only adults that were printed and had criminal offenses put onto their permanent criminal records. Now the same applies to juveniles. It’s hard to get a job when you get older when you have a criminal record. Most employers now do check your background. In the past offenses you committed as a juvenile would never appear on your record once you were 18 years old. Now if you commit an offense where you have to be finger printed this will stay on your permanent record the rest of your life. These changes have taken place in the legal system because younger people have been committing more serious crimes and the laws had to be changed so that they would be able to deal with the more serious problems of our youth.

Frequently asked questions about driving laws

Q: Can I get a ticket for doing a burn out?

A: Yes you can, under Illinois vehicle code you can be issued a ticket under statute 625ILCS 5/11-505 for illegal squealing of tires. If convicted of this offense you will also face up to a $95.00 fine and the possibility of traffic school depending on the judge you have.

Q: What are the fines for speeding?

A: If you speed more then 20mph over the posted speed limit but less then 30 mph over the limit it’s a $95 fine.
If speeding more then 30mph over the limit the fine is $105
If speeding more then 40mph over the limit you will be arrested and charged with a class A misdemeanor. Your bond for this offense is $200 cash to get out of jail. You will also receive a court date to go in front of a judge to hear the case, and worst of all, your car will be towed from the scene and it’s not cheap to get it back.<>

Q: Can you get arrested for drag racing?

A: Yes you can under 625 ILCS 5/11-504
You will be arrested and charged with a class C misdemeanor To get out of jail you will have to post $100 cash plus a valid driver’s license. If you do not have a valid license you will need $200 cash. You will get a court date and your vehicle will be towed.

Q: Is it illegal to put tints on my car windows?

A: Yes it is, you can be issued a ticket for 625 ILCS 5/12-503. This statute states that it is illegal to put any reflective, non reflective or tinted film on the windshield or front side windows. You are allowed to tint the back side windows and the rear window.

Q: If you are 16 years old can you still drive after curfew?

A: No you cannot. According to Illinois statute 625 ILCS 5/6-110 if you are less then 17 years old, your license shall, as a matter of law, be invalid for the operation of any motor vehicle during any time the licensee is prohibited from being on any street or highway under the provisions of the Child Curfew Act(720ILCS 555/1).

Q: Can a juvenile be finger printed?

A: Yes, as of 2000 the law allows juveniles to be finger printed if they commit a criminal offense or for identification purposes. What this also means is that juveniles will also have permanent criminal records. In the past it was only adults that were printed and had criminal offenses put onto their permanent criminal records. Now the same applies to juveniles. It’s hard to get a job when you get older when you have a criminal record. Most employers now do check your background. In the past offenses you committed as a juvenile would never appear on your record once you were 18 years old. Now if you commit an offense where you have to be finger printed this will stay on your permanent record the rest of your life. These changes have taken place in the legal system because younger people have been committing more serious crimes and the laws had to be changed so that they would be able to deal with the more serious problems of our youth.