The We Belong Here festival comes to Armature Works Riverfront from December 11 through 13. Large events typically draw additional law enforcement. A drug arrest at the festival begins the same criminal process as any other arrest in Hillsborough County.
Common Drug Charges After a Festival Arrest
Most festival cases involve a small amount of a controlled substance. Florida classifies drug possession of most substances other than cannabis as a third-degree felony. Possessing 20 grams or less of cannabis is a misdemeanor. Officers may also add a paraphernalia charge.
When Possession Becomes Trafficking
Quantity changes the case. Under Florida’s trafficking statute, 10 grams or more of MDMA, or a mixture containing it, is trafficking. That tier carries a three-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a $50,000 fine. The full weight of the pills or capsules counts, not just the amount of MDMA inside them.
Separately bagged pills, cash, or text messages about sales can also lead prosecutors to file possession with intent to sell.
What to Do If You Are Arrested
What a person says and does in the first hour after an arrest often becomes evidence. A few steps protect your position:
- Stay calm and do not physically resist, even if the stop seems unfair.
- Decline to answer questions about where the drugs came from or who owns them.
- Do not consent to a search of your phone, bag, or vehicle.
- Avoid discussing the case on jail phones, which are recorded.
- Keep the arrest off social media.
Silence is a right. It is not an admission of guilt. Police must give Miranda warnings before custodial questioning. You can invoke your Miranda rights by stating clearly that you want a lawyer and will not answer questions.
How a Defense Attorney Can Respond
Challenging the Search
Festival cases often begin with a bag check at the gate, a pat-down in the crowd, or an officer’s report of a hand-to-hand exchange. Screening by venue security staff and a search by a police officer are judged under different rules. Drug dog alerts can be contested when the dog’s training or the handler’s conduct is in question. If a court finds the search unlawful, the evidence may be suppressed.
Options That Avoid a Conviction
For a first-time offender, keeping a conviction off the record is usually the main objective. Florida’s pretrial intervention program allows eligible defendants to complete conditions such as drug education and testing in exchange for dismissal. Eligibility depends on the charge and any prior record. The State Attorney’s Office decides whether to offer it. Defense counsel can present mitigating information before that decision is made.
Local Experience With Event Arrests
Tampa’s large public events, including Gasparilla, regularly lead to arrests for drug and alcohol offenses.
Ben Stechschulte prosecuted cases in Hillsborough County before opening his practice in 2012. He is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law and has tried more than 60 cases to verdict. His drug crime defense work draws on that background.
Working with a Tampa, FL criminal defense lawyer from the start gives the defense time to request body camera footage, lab reports, and witness information before key deadlines pass.
Next Steps After a We Belong Here Arrest
An arrest at a festival does not mean a conviction will follow. A Tampa criminal defense lawyer can review the charges and the evidence before the first court date. To discuss your case, contact StechLaw Criminal Defense.
