Public Opinion

The Constitution also gives every individual the right to chose. Just as discussing human rights and liberties, there is also a vast public interest about what's right and wrong with curfew laws. Interest groups and political parties have the ability to pressure and place their opinion so it will be heard in the government structure (pluralist theory). Bill Clinton, the leading public figure supports the conservative view that curfew laws are a good idea for the youth and civilian protection. His opinion affects the masses because he is a "role model" to America. Not only does he favor curfew laws, but also in 1996 he had guidelines sent to mayors nationwide on how to enforce curfew laws. Libertarians believe that these ordinances place infringements on teens rights and liberties. Curfew laws also place and discriminate teens into a category, juvenile.

 However, curfew opposition try to draw back the laws of curfew. Civil liberties unions fight against curfew laws by the Equal Protection Clause and the Bill Of Rights. Under the Equal Protection Clause, unions document that city and state legislatures have no right to promote suspect classification based on age. Under the First Amendment, civil liberties unions argue that curfew laws violate freedom of association and movement.

 A good question to bring against public policy is, does the ruling majority in favor of curfew law affect the minority to the extent where the minority has no say in the matter after the policy is enacted? Yes, but the minority has the right to push their concerns until their voices are heard. A female student who attends Hunter College with a child of her own expressed that curfews should be enforced by the parents of the child. "Why should the state of New York tell my kid when it's time to go home, that's my job".

 A good example of public influence took place in Orlando, Florida. A curfew which was supposed to go into effect would have made twelve blocks of downtown Orlando off-limits to teen under eighteen. Two Interest groups known as Rock Out Censorship (ROC) and the Orlando Alliance for Cultural Freedom (OACF) deemed that law as unconstitutional, violating free speech, assembly, and due process. The ordinance also goes against the fourth amendment, stating that the state investigations can be requested to the home of any teen that is charged with violating the curfew more than three times. The two groups had collected signed petitions, media coverage, and even had a rally to support teen rights. The supporters of the cause also felt that the police would misuse their force by being selective to race, religion, gender, etc... in enforcing the law.

 Conflicts in curfew laws are still sky-high. We must think about the balance between freedom and order. Our Constitution stands firmly on fundamental rights. However, our teen-agers still bring troubles into our society. Therefore, legislators expect to ban teen-agers nighttime activities to stabilize our communities. In fact, libertarians and racial movement politicians protest against government interference in privacy and individual's rights/ freedoms.