For Some Kids This Halloween: No Trick-or-Treating or Face Jail Time!
October 22, 2019
By Wendy
Sounds like a “trick,” but it is in fact a town law in Virginia where you must be 12 years of age or under to trick-or-treat. Anyone over that age limit who is found trick-or-treating may be charged with a misdemeanor, punished by fine or be confined in jail.
Several town governments in Virginia are applying the rule, including Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. Chesapeake also has a similar rule, but raised the age limit to 14 in 2019. In many of these towns, curfews are also set to 8 p.m. for when all trick-or-treating must come to an end.
The City of Chesapeake has clarified that “Chesapeake Police staff will focus on making sure the evening is safe for everyone, not actively seeking out violations of the time or age limits. For example, a fifteen year old safely trick or treating with a younger sibling is not going to have any issues. That same child taking pumpkins from porches and smashing them in the street more likely will.”
While the laws are meant to curb trouble from teenagers, many believe it has taken out the fun in Halloween.
Let us know your thoughts! Should there be an age limit on trick-or-treating?