Enquirer News Update - Updated 6:40 p.m.
People arrested for curfew violations appear in court
By Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Laverne Adkins warned her daughter, Tracy, not to disobey the 8
p.m. curfew that Mayor Charlie Luken set in place Thursday. Tracy,
19, thought she'd be safe if she just walked her friend home.
Police arrested the young Walnut Hills woman minutes after the
curfew took effect, leaving her to spend the night in Hamilton County
Justice Center. On Friday morning, Tracy appeared at her arraignment,
but was allowed to leave because she didn't have a record.
Mrs. Adkins is relieved. She supports the curfew, which is
supposed to last throughout the city indefinitely.
"Anything that keeps these kids off the streets is fine by me.
She didn't have any business going out there,'' Mrs. Adkins said
outside Municipal Court.
Others weren't as lucky as her daughter.
Cincinnati Police arrested 136 people Thursday night for curfew
violations. All but 15 were arraigned Friday before Municipal Judge
Ralph Winkler.
Most plead no contest, which usually prompted the judge to
sentence them to one day in jail with one day's credit. In other
words, they were released.
Those with previous records received stricter sentences. For
example, one man was sentenced to 45 days in jail. The majority of
those with previous records were sentenced to between 1 and 10 days.
Some people protested their arrest, saying they did not know about the new curfew until they left work and didn't see anyone on the streets, including cab and bus drivers.
"I didn't know anything about a curfew , (and) I'd like to get back
to work,'' said Marcus Early, 22, who was released later that day.
Curfew violation is a misdemeanor offense. The maximum punishment
is six months in jail and $1,000 in fines.
