If Teens Break Curfew Here, Parents May Be Charged

Parents of DC teens are now on notice from federal prosecutors. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said on Friday that her office will pursue charges against parents of minors who violate the city's curfew as part of a Trump administration "summer surge" targeting crime ahead of America's 250th anniversary events, reports the Washington Post. DC's current curfew for minors is 11pm weeknights and midnight on weekends, but the weekend curfew might get moved up to 11pm. Also, legislation under consideration would grant the police chief authority to enforce 8pm curfews on certain occasions.

"Parents, do your jobs, or we will do ours," Pirro said. "If you don't control your kids, the district will." While federal prosecutors generally can't handle juvenile cases, Pirro said she'll use a DC law that bans adults from enabling minors to skip school, break the law, or use drugs. Penalties could include fines, court-ordered parenting classes, or jail time. The move is aimed at curbing what are known as "teen takeovers," reports CBS News. Those are essentially "flash-mob-style gatherings" of large groups of teens.