Juvenile curfews
Evidence Ratings
Scientifically Supported: Strategies with this rating are most likely to make a difference. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently positive results.
Some Evidence: Strategies with this rating are likely to work, but further research is needed to confirm effects. These strategies have been tested more than once and results trend positive overall.
Expert Opinion: Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts but have limited research documenting effects; further research, often with stronger designs, is needed to confirm effects.
Insufficient Evidence: Strategies with this rating have limited research documenting effects. These strategies need further research, often with stronger designs, to confirm effects.
Mixed Evidence: Strategies with this rating have been tested more than once and results are inconsistent or trend negative; further research is needed to confirm effects.
Evidence of Ineffectiveness: Strategies with this rating are not good investments. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently negative and sometimes harmful results. Learn more about our methods
Strategies with this rating are not good investments. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently negative and sometimes harmful results.
Evidence Ratings
Scientifically Supported: Strategies with this rating are most likely to make a difference. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently positive results.
Some Evidence: Strategies with this rating are likely to work, but further research is needed to confirm effects. These strategies have been tested more than once and results trend positive overall.
Expert Opinion: Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts but have limited research documenting effects; further research, often with stronger designs, is needed to confirm effects.
Insufficient Evidence: Strategies with this rating have limited research documenting effects. These strategies need further research, often with stronger designs, to confirm effects.
Mixed Evidence: Strategies with this rating have been tested more than once and results are inconsistent or trend negative; further research is needed to confirm effects.
Evidence of Ineffectiveness: Strategies with this rating are not good investments. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently negative and sometimes harmful results. Learn more about our methods
Strategies with this rating are not good investments. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently negative and sometimes harmful results.
Health factors shape the health of individuals and communities. Everything from our education to our environments impacts our health. Modifying these clinical, behavioral, social, economic, and environmental factors can influence how long and how well people live, now and in the future.
Juvenile curfews are legal restrictions that prohibit youth under a certain age (usually 16, 17, or 18) from being in public places without adult supervision during certain hours, usually at night (e.g., between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.). Curfew restrictions regarding youth ages, hours, exempted activities, and penalties for violations vary by locality. Many states allow local governments to enact curfew laws or ordinances.
What does the research say about effectiveness?
There is strong evidence that juvenile curfews do not affect youth crime and victimization rates during curfew hours1, 2. A Washington, D.C.-based evaluation indicates that changing curfew hours from midnight to 11 pm increases gunfire incidents between 11 pm and midnight3.
Available evidence suggests juvenile curfews may reduce youth motor vehicle fatalities and arrest rates; additional research is needed to determine effects on fatalities and arrests4.
How could this strategy impact health disparities? This strategy is rated no impact on disparities likely.
Footnotes
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1 Campbell-Wilson 2016 - Wilson DB, Gill C, Olaghere A, McClure D. Juvenile curfew effects on criminal behavior and victimization: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews. 2016:3.
2 Adams 2003 - Adams K. The effectiveness of juvenile curfews at crime prevention. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 2003;587(1):136–159.
3 Carr 2015 - Carr JB, Doleac JL. Keep the kids inside? Juvenile curfews and urban gun violence. 2015.
4 Grossman 2015 - Grossman ER, Miller NA. A systematic review of the impact of juvenile curfew laws on public health and justice outcomes. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2015;49(6):945–951.
Related What Works for Health Strategies
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