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City of Sanford, ME
York County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Sanford as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alcoholic beverages — See Ch. 74.
Dance halls — See Ch. 108.
Graffiti — See Ch. 132.
Loitering — See Ch. 158.
[Adopted 12-2-1980]
This article shall be known and cited as the "Special Protection Law for Juveniles" as it protects juveniles by regulating sexually oriented material.
The purpose of this article is to prohibit any commercial enterprise from disseminating sexually oriented material to juveniles for commercial gain. It does not wish to suppress or inhibit the free exchange of ideas or artistic expression protected by United States Constitutional provisions. It will promote and protect the general welfare and morals of our youth.
It shall be unlawful for any commercial enterprise to sell, provide or present for sale any sexually oriented material to a juvenile for commercial gain.
For purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE
Any business, corporation, association or natural person established for pecuniary gain.
DISSEMINATE
To sell, provide or present for sale or agree to the same.
JUVENILE
Any person 17 years of age or younger.
MATERIAL
Any book, pamphlet, magazine, picture, photograph or drawing or similar visual representation.
SEXUALLY ORIENTED
A. 
The material is made up, in whole or dominant part, of representations or descriptions, actual or simulated, of human sexual intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, direct physical stimulation of unclothed genitals, or abusive conduct or torture in the context of a sexual relationship or which emphasize the uncovered genitals;
B. 
The material lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational or scientific value for juveniles; and
C. 
The dominant theme of the material appeals to the prurient interest in sex of juveniles.
This article is not intended to regulate any conduct expressly regulated by existing state statute, nor does it apply to schools, libraries, museums or other institutions accredited by the state.
Any conduct made unlawful by this article shall be deemed a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 for each violation of this offense. Each day or time that such violation occurs shall be a separate offense.
[Adopted 5-25-1999 (Ch. 12, Art. I of the 1977 Code)]
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Curfew Ordinance of the Town of Sanford, Maine."
The purpose of this article is to aid in control of juvenile delinquency in the Town of Sanford.
The following words, terms and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless the context of their usage clearly indicates another meaning:
EMERGENCY
An unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. The term shall include but not be limited to fire, natural disaster, vehicular accident, or a serious medical condition of sudden onset.
GUARDIAN
The person(s) or public or private agency who or which, either pursuant to a court order or a voluntary placement or appointment by the minor's parent(s), is the guardian of the person of the minor.
MINOR
Any person 17 years of age or younger.
PARENT
The natural mother or father, adoptive mother or father, or stepmother or stepfather of a minor.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, public parks and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartments, houses, office buildings, transport facilities and shops.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any minor to knowingly remain, walk, run, stand, drive or ride about in or upon any public place in the Town of Sanford between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for the parent or guardian having legal custody of a minor to knowingly allow or permit the minor to be in violation of the curfew imposed in Subsection A of this section.
C. 
Violation of this section shall be punishable as provided in § 141-13 of this article.
It is a defense to prosecution under § 141-10 of this article that:
A. 
The minor was accompanied by his or her parent or guardian;
B. 
The minor was accompanied by an adult specifically designated by his or her parent or guardian;
C. 
The minor was on an errand made necessary by an emergency;
D. 
The minor was attending a school, religious or government-sponsored activity or was traveling to or from a school, religious or government-sponsored activity;
E. 
The minor was engaged in a lawful employment activity or was going directly to or coming directly from lawful employment;
F. 
The minor was on the sidewalk in front of the place where he or she resides;
G. 
The minor was on an errand specifically directed by his or her parent or guardian;
H. 
The minor was in a motor vehicle involved in intrastate or interstate transportation; or
I. 
The minor was engaged in participating in or traveling to or from any event, function or activity for which the application of § 141-10 of this article would contravene his or her rights protected by the Maine or United States Constitution.
A. 
Except as provided below for a first offense for minors, this article shall be enforced by issuance of a civil summons directly to the offender. Before taking any action to enforce this article, the police officer shall, in the case of a minor, ask the age of the apparent offender. The police officer may ask for proof of the apparent offender's age and shall be justified in taking action to determine the apparent offender's age in the absence of identification, subject to and in compliance with all requirements imposed by law, including, without limitation, the provisions of 17-A M.R.S.A. § 17. Pursuant to that statute, the police officer may require the minor to remain in his or her presence for a period of up to two hours.
B. 
For minors, a documented verbal warning shall be issued for a first offense.
C. 
In all cases, upon finding a minor in violation of this article, the police officer shall advise the minor that he or she is in violation of this Curfew Ordinance and direct the minor to proceed at once by the most direct route to his or her home or usual place of abode.
D. 
If the minor refuses to proceed to his or her home or usual place of abode after having been warned of the violation, or if the minor is subsequently observed by a police officer to be in violation of this article after having previously been warned, the police officer shall summons the minor, and, if the minor's parent or guardian knowingly allowed the violation to occur, the police officer may also summons the parent or guardian.
The penalty for violation of this article shall be as follows:
A. 
For a first offense, subsequent to a receipt of a warning, as provided above, a fine of $25 or, if the minor consents, four hours of community service to be completed within 30 days of adjudication; and
B. 
For each subsequent offense, a fine up to $100 or, if the minor agrees, 16 hours of community service to be completed within 30 days of adjudication.