(a) For the purposes of Section 537.22, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“Public place” means any street, highway, alley or right of way, to include sidewalks; any park, playground, mall, other place or building open to the public; any cemetery, school yard, body of water or watercourse; any privately or publicly owned place of amusement, entertainment or public accommodation including parking lots and the areas adjacent thereto; and any vacant lot or lawn.
(b) No minor between the ages of six and eighteen years of age shall be in any public place within the City except in attendance at school or at a school-sponsored or authorized program during regularly scheduled school hours for such minor on any school day, unless:
(1) The minor has written proof from school authorities that he or she is excused from school attendance at that particular time; or
(2) The minor is accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian, or a responsible adult selected by the parent or legal guardian to supervise the child; or
(3) The minor is actively engaged in work pursuant to an age or schooling certificate, or traveling directly to or from the job site.
It shall be an affirmative defense to this subsection that the minor is not required by state law to be in attendance at school.
(c) No parent or legal guardian of a minor between the ages of six and eighteen years of age shall negligently allow or permit a minor to violate subsection (b) hereof.
It shall be an affirmative defense to this section that the parent or legal guardian has initiated the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court against the minor prior to the time that the minor was found violating subsection (b) hereof.
(d) Any person violating the provisions of Section 537.22 shall, upon a first offense be guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Each day of violation of this section is a separate offense.
(Ord. 2000-21. Passed 4-10-00.)