DC Curfew?

[Samantha]

Just asking if anybody can explain this "curfew" business, it wasn't around when I was 16 and I haven't heard a thing about it til I saw a sign at the Black Cat (thank you BC for putting up a sign! else I never would have known)
 
 I like taking my 16 year old sister out, and have taken her out a couple times knowing nothing about this curfew, and just want to make sure we don't get kicked out or anything...?
 
 just as long as I get her out by 12, I'm good?  I doubt we'd stay out much later, but don't want to get in trouble...what's the punishment??

[Herr Professor Doktor Doom]

Interesting... at first I thought this was a new law passed in reaction to a shooting a few months ago... some on the DC council were trying to ban teenagers from nightclubs outright.
 
 Instead it turns out that it's an old law which is now being enforced.  The details are at this link.  Are you 21+ yet?  If so, and you're accompanying your sis, she's OK according to this law, which says that she is exempt if as long as she accompanies "a parent or guardian or any person age 21 or older."
    http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,547375,mpdcNav_GID,1549,mpdcNav,%7C.asp
 
 The tricky thing is the Black Cat seems to be interpreting the law more strictly, saying she must be with a parent... so if you can't convince them you're her mom, they might ask her to leave.    I think they'd probably be nice about it though. Since she's not breaking the law, there wouldn't be a legal penalty.

[Samantha]

really? damn.  I am 21 finally.  (But I am pretty sure the BC sign was ok with under 18 going without parents, as long as they were out by 12.  Maybe I'm wrong?)
 
 anybody know if this is truly enforced, and what happens?  my sis doesn't have a learner's permit let alone a license, therefore doesn't have ID with her age on it...so I'm just wondering.  Covering all my bases, being the responsible big sis.
 
 (I find it a little bit odd that I had absolutely no idea about this curfew until a couple weeks ago, and nobody seemed to care when I was 16, and POOF here it is, been around for years...however I'm quite happy about that, I NEVER went home before midnight when I was that age)

[Herr Professor Doktor Doom]

I really don't think your sis has anything to worry about.  The Black Cat is super-conservative about these things, because like all clubs they live in constant fear of being shut down.   But I suspect the worst that would happen is they'd ask her to leave... and as far as outside the club on DC's wild streets, the cops have way more to worry about... unless she mugs someone or something they won't even notice her...  and if she's with you she is covered.
 
 It's also interesting the last section on exemptions on that link I posted -- people are exempt from the curfew if they "Exercise their First Amendment rights protected by the US Constitution, including the free exercise of speech, religion, and right of assembly."  
 
 That's probably because at one time a court ruled the law unconstitutional... so maybe if she goes out without you, tell her to bring a big stack of Bush/Cheney leaflets so she can claim she was out exercising free speech?
 
 the Black Cat's rules are on its front web page, it sounds like parents are encouraged but not required except after the curfew.

[Lambofgodfan]

black cat doesnt care i have friends that go all the time and dont get checked.. only thing is if you are over 21 for beer...im 17 and went in by myself once and they didnt check.. if your 17 or older you can stay outside in dc as late as you want i think...