As the We Belong Here Tampa Bay festival prepares to welcome attendees December 11 through 13 at Armature Works Riverfront, a Tampa, FL drug possession lawyer is advising the event's 21-and-over crowd on what to do in the event of a drug arrest. StechLaw Criminal Defense prepared the guidance ahead of the three-day gathering.
The stakes are significant. Under section 893.13, Florida Statutes, possession of most controlled substances other than cannabis is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis is a first-degree misdemeanor. A conviction can also affect employment, professional licenses, and housing applications, meaning a single arrest at a music festival could carry consequences long after the event ends. Cases arising from arrests at the venue are prosecuted in Hillsborough County.
Attendees who are detained retain the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Ben Stechschulte recommends declining to answer questions about any substance or who owns it, refusing consent to searches, and avoiding discussion of the arrest with friends or on social media. Statements made at the scene or on recorded jail phone calls can be introduced as evidence, so silence and caution in the immediate aftermath can matter as much as what happens later in court.
"A festival arrest is not a conviction," said Mr. Stechschulte, who is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law. "Police searches at crowded events must still follow constitutional limits. Evidence from an unlawful search can be challenged in court."
That point carries practical weight for anyone facing charges. Early involvement from defense counsel allows for review of body camera footage, lab results, and the circumstances of the stop before charging decisions are final. As a former Hillsborough County prosecutor, Mr. Stechschulte brings that perspective to his drug crime defense work, an advantage that could shape how a case unfolds from the first appearance onward.
The guidance also underscores a broader reality for event organizers and attendees alike: large festivals draw heavy police attention, and enforcement at crowded venues raises questions about search limits that courts continue to scrutinize. For attendees, knowing the difference between detention and conviction, and understanding when to invoke the right to counsel, can influence the outcome of a case that might otherwise follow them for years.
Attendees and their families can request a free consultation at any hour. The firm's emphasis on early legal involvement reflects how quickly charging decisions can move after a festival arrest, and why prompt access to counsel is often the difference between a manageable case and a lasting record.
