Juvenile Law Information For Parents And Youth

Communities Against Substance Abuse and the El Cajon Police Department encourage you to understand the laws that protect the safety and well-being of children in our community.

Adults and children, should review this information together to better understand these laws. These laws are to protect the safety of children.

Graffiti

Possession of Graffiti Tools by minors is prohibited.

It is unlawful for any minor to possess any graffiti implement is prohibited except when the minor is attending, or travelling to or from a class requiring the use felt tip markers. No minor shall possess any graffiti implement while in any public park, except as may be authorized by the city.

Furnishing graffiti tools to minors prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person, other than a parent or legal guardian, to sell, exchange, give, loan, or otherwise furnish, or cause or permit to be exchanged, given, loaned, or otherwise furnished, any felt tip marker or graffiti stick to any minor without the advance written consent of the parent or other lawfully designated custodian of the person. (9.70 ECMC)

Curfew for Minors

No minor shall be present in any public place during curfew hours [between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am of the following day]. No responsible adult shall knowingly permit or allow a minor to be present in any public place during curfew hours.

This law intends to preserve and promote the safety and welfare of the community and minors during late night hours. (9.80 ECMC)

Teens and Alcohol

Social Host of Parties

Anyone who hosts a party or allows a party, gathering or event where minors consume alcohol. You may be:

• Cited or arrested
• Fined up to $1,000
• Sentences up to 6 months in jail
• Billed for the cost of police services (9.30 ECMC)

Underage drinking is associated with the leading causes of death among teens and young adults, including homicide, suicide, and motor vehicle crashes.

Teen drinking parties often result in alcohol poisoning, traffic crashes, prop-erty damage, sexual assault, physical and mental abuse, and other crime and violence.

Teens who begin drinking alcohol be-fore the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to become alcoholics compared to those who begin drinking at the legal age of 21.

Minors Prohibited: Attempt to Purchase, Purchase, Possess or Consume Alcohol

Minors may not purchase alcohol. Minors may not consume alcohol in an on-sale licensed premises

(B&P Sec. 25658(b))

Penalty for the minor: $250 fine and/or 24-32 hours of community service (1st offense)

Minors may not even try to buy alcohol

(B&P Sec. 25658.5)

Penalty for the minor: $100 fine and/or 24-32 hours community service (1st offense)

Minors may not possess alcohol in public except if the minor is making a delivery for his employer.

(B&P Sec. 25662(a))

Penalty for the minor: $250 fine and/or 24-32 hours of community service (1st offense)

Tobacco

Every person under age 18 years who purchases, receives, or possesses any tobacco, cigarette, or cigarette papers, or any other preparation of tobacco, or paraphernalia that is designed for the smoking of tobacco products or any controlled substance can be punished by a fine of $75 or 30-hours of community service. (308(b) PC)

Knives

Any person…who brings or possesses any dirk, dagger, ice pick, knife having a blade longer than 2 1/2″, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, or razor with an unguarded blade, a taser, or a stun gun…

any instrument that expels a metallic projectile such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO2 pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun (paint ball gun) upon the grounds of, or within, any

public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1-12, is guilty of a public offense, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison

626.10(a) PC

Brought to you by Communities Against Substance Abuse and the El Cajon Police Department

Download a tri-fold PDF version of this document:Tri-fold El Cajon Youth Laws.