Juvenile curfew laws are designed to reduce youth-related crime, violence, and delinquency by keeping juveniles at home during the nighttime hours, where they will presumably have fewer opportunities to commit crime or become a victim of crime. More recently, curfew laws have been enacted to apply to the time that youths should be in school, to allow the police to better enforce truancy laws.

The target population of curfew laws includes all juveniles in a geographical area, as defined by specific curfew laws. Some laws specify youths under 18 years of age, while others specify youths under age 17.

Juvenile curfew laws include a variety of regulated activities and penalties. The laws vary in targeted age groups, hours of restricted activities, exceptions, and sanctions.

Curfew hours vary, but often begin at 10 or 11 p.m. during the week and midnight on weekends, and end at 5 or 6 a.m. But some daytime curfew ordinances, designed to keep youths in school and off the streets, have been enacted and apply from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Common exceptions to curfew laws include traveling with a parent or guardian, or returning home from school, work, or a religious activity. Sanctions can include fines (that may increase with the number of violations), community service, or driver’s license restrictions.

Business curfew laws typically restrict the operating hours of some businesses in densely-populated areas, such as liquor stores, restaurants, and grocery stores. These business curfew laws or ordinances often require stores to close between certain hours, such as 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Cities often implement these laws or ordinances in areas with high levels of crime, loitering, and disorderly conduct. Business curfew laws typically do not apply to late-night pharmacies and bars.

In Wyoming, juvenile curfew laws are set at the local level by cities and counties rather than by statewide statute. These laws are intended to prevent crime and protect the welfare of minors by restricting their ability to be in public places during certain hours, typically at night. The specifics of the curfew, such as the age of minors affected and the exact hours of enforcement, can vary by jurisdiction. For example, some areas may impose a curfew starting at 10 or 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends, ending at 5 or 6 a.m. Daytime curfews may also be in place to ensure that minors attend school, often enforced between morning and early afternoon hours. Exceptions to these curfews usually include minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, or those engaged in employment, educational, or religious activities. Penalties for violating curfew laws can range from fines to community service, and in some cases, may affect a minor's driving privileges. Additionally, business curfew laws in Wyoming may be enacted by local governments to mandate the closing hours of certain establishments in an effort to reduce crime and disorderly behavior in specific areas. These laws typically target businesses such as liquor stores and convenience stores but may exempt pharmacies and bars.