Knoxville Attorneys for Criminal Charges at Bonnaroo

Strategic criminal defense for festival attendees charged with crimes

The Bonnaroo music festival, along with dozens more, allows for attendees to experience concerts, movies, and local fare. They are great for having fun with family and friends, meeting new people, and exploring all that Tennessee has to offer.

Despite this, law enforcement in Manchester, Coffee County, and the surrounding areas look to Bonnaroo as a way to increase their arrests totals. We also know that a lot of Bonnaroo traffic comes through Knox County, so the number of arrests and charges will likely be high here, too. At Banks & Jones, we understand how local law enforcement operates during this and other festivals. Our experienced Knoxville Bonnaroo defense lawyers knows what it takes to fight the charges that residents and visitors face. Our team is available around the clock because we know that arrests don’t just occur during normal business hours. When you hire our firm, we guarantee that you will never be alone in the fight against criminal charges.

What are common criminal charges levied at Bonnaroo?

The most common criminal charges that are levied after arrests at Bonnaroo include minor drug charges, public intoxication, and theft, but you can face serious felony charges, too. Some other common criminal charges include the following:

Marijuana charges at Bonnaroo

A lot of neighboring states have legalized weed, but Tennessee has not. If you are found with more than .5 ounces of marijuana, you can be charged with a Class B felony in Tennessee. That means serious prison time and thousands of dollars in fines.

Understand that these types of charges can apply even if weed is legal in your state, or if you have a medical marijuana card. In fact, you may face additional hardships for transporting marijuana over state lines, because now it could be considered federal drug trafficking. Once the feds take over, things can go from bad to awful pretty fast. Banks & Jones can represent you in federal court if it gets to that point, but we’ll do whatever we can to ensure it doesn’t.

What happens if my teen is arrested at Bonnaroo?

If you receive the dreaded phone call from your teenager telling you they have been arrested while attending Bonnaroo, you should go to the police station where they are being held as soon as possible. Explain to them that they should not answer any questions or provide the police with any information until a criminal defense attorney is present. Know that just because your child is a minor does not mean he or she will be charged like one, especially if your kid was arrested for something as serious as selling drugs, assault, or any type of possible sex crime. Depending on the age of your child, he or she could be charged as an adult, and the rules are different for adults.

Depending on the charges levied against your teen, the police might not be able to hold them past when you come to pick them up from the station. A criminal defense attorney will be able to help you obtain the release of your teenager pending a court appearance.

Do I need a local lawyer if I’m arrested at Bonnaroo?

Yes, you do. Out-of-state lawyers don’t know the rules or laws in Tennessee, so you’re going to need local counsel. For example, Coffee County law enforcement used to just issue citations for minor drug offenses that could be paid via mail, but now you have to show up in court. You’re going to need a local attorney to help you with that, whether you’re cited at Bonnaroo or while driving through Knoxville on your way back to your home state.

Getting arrested as a visitor to an unfamiliar state is stressful. Depending on the charges levied, you might be held by police until you make a court appearance. A conviction for DUI requires a mandatory stint in jail, which means that you will want an experienced Knoxville criminal defense attorney representing you. In Tennessee, DUI is a crime no matter how much alcohol is in your system.

In almost every instance, bail will be required if you face a felony charge and do not live in Tennessee. This is to ensure that you will return to Tennessee for your scheduled court appearance or for a trial.

If you were charged with a misdemeanor, you might not have to remain in Tennessee to fight the charges or make court appearances. Instead, a Knoxville criminal defense attorney can appear in court on your behalf, so you do not have to travel back and forth, incurring thousands of dollars of expenses.

For these reasons, it is in your best interest to consult a criminal defense attorney. The team at Banks & Jones knows the laws of Tennessee and can explain how the criminal process works so you can either return home or make plans to remain in Tennessee while you wait for a court date.

How to avoid arrest at Bonnaroo

There are lot of opportunities to get in some trouble at festivals like Bonnaroo, and the cops are going to be on high alert for all of them. Be sure to do the following to best avoid arrest when attending Bonnaroo in September:

  • Remain sober: You can partake in alcoholic beverages, but do your best to remain sober – or plan to call a taxi or an Uber/Lyft. The Tennessee legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08. You can be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) whether you’ve had one drink or have been drinking for the entire day. Get yourself a designated driver if you know you’re going to be drinking, or just stay away from alcohol entirely.
  • Drive in a safe manner: Make sure that the registration and insurance for your vehicle are not outdated before heading to Bonnaroo. Always wear your seat belt and do not hang anything from the rear-view mirror. Avoid using your mobile phone while driving, which is illegal in Tennessee. Go the speed limit, use your turn signals, follow the rules of the road.
  • Do not have sex: Sexual assault is a serious crime in Tennessee. Do not engage in sex while at Bonnaroo with anyone without consent. It’s too risky of a situation.
  • Avoid drugs: Bonnaroo and other festivals are known for drug use. If you take prescription medication, have the prescription with you at all times as well as the contact information for your doctor.
  • Don’t post anything on social media. We know that you want to show pictures of yourself and your friends having a good time, but police can use them against you if you’re doing anything that could be construed as a crime. You’re better off keep your photos offline, or at the very least, making them private. Privacy filters won’t help you if the police arrest or charge you, but they may make you less of a target from the start.
  • Know your rights: You have the right to refuse a search and you can leave the area after being issued a citation. You have the right to an attorney if you’re charged with a crime. You have the right to stay silent before your attorney arrives. You have the right to leave a DUI checkpoint as long as you can exit legally.

At Banks & Jones, we’ve been helping people accused of crimes at summer festivals like Bonnaroo for decades. We know what kinds of charges you’re likely to face, and the tricks that law enforcement will use to get you to admit to a crime – especially if you’re from out of state. Whether you’re from Tennessee or not, our criminal defense attorneys have you covered. If we can’t get your charges dismissed entirely, we’ll fight to get you a good plea that won’t ruin your chance at a brighter future.

Protect your rights at Bonnaroo with a Knoxville criminal defense attorney

If you or a loved one has been arrested for any type of crime while attending Bonnaroo, it’s important to speak with an experienced Knoxville criminal defense attorney from Banks & Jones. Call our office at 865-546-2141 or complete the contact form to schedule a consultation. We have successfully aided people just like you who have been charged with DUI, theft, sexual assault, drug possession, and many other crimes when attending Bonnaroo.