Music festivals in Ohio are a time to share an enjoyment of music, take a break from daily routines, and relax while experiencing downtime with friends. The use of drugs at music festivals in Ohio does occur, but not always without consequences. Laws applying outside of festival grounds still apply at music festivals in Ohio.
Getting caught with drugs at a Columbus music festival can be costly, leading to significant personal and professional impacts. Contact a Columbus drug crime defense lawyer with Koffel Brininger Nesbitt immediately if you have been charged with a drug crime at a music festival. We will review the facts of your case and strive for the best outcome with minimal impact on your future.
Ohio Drug Laws Apply to Music Festivals
Regardless of the festival atmosphere, state drug laws still apply within festival grounds. Being found in possession of drugs will likely result in an arrest. Charges and a conviction of a drug crime are determined by:
- The type of drugs in your possession
- The quantity in possession
- The intention of the possession
- Whether a previous history of drug charges or convictions exist
While intervention-in-lieu of a conviction may be an available option, they should not be expected as an alternative to other potential drug penalties. Discuss any previous history of drug or criminal charges with a Columbus criminal defense lawyer, who will explore the available options and determine if steps may be taken to reduce or dismiss the charges against you. It is also essential to understand whether your rights have been violated at a music festival.
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Understanding Your Legal Rights at an Ohio Music Festival
Your legal rights in public areas such as music festivals may not be as clearly defined. Taking drugs into a public space may lead to encounters with drug dogs, or attending concerts with friends in possession of drugs may lead to an assumed guilt by association. Regardless, you have the following legal rights:
- You have the right to say no to searches or testing if no reasonable suspicion exists
- Legal representation is a right under the law
- You are innocent until proven guilty
Requesting representation by a Columbus drug crime defense attorney as soon as possible is critical. Immediate representation may protect your rights by allowing us to offer legal guidance to guard against the cost of being convicted of a crime and what it does to your future prospects. Certain drug convictions carry mandatory sentencing as described by the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission.
Cannabis Use and Ohio Music Festivals
Ohio’s recent determination on allowable forms of adult-use cannabis is defined in Ohio Law & Administrative Rules. While the laws on cannabis are currently being implemented, music festival goers in Ohio should be aware of the restrictions that apply to cannabis use. The use of cannabis at a music festival may result in drug charges in Ohio, with the Ohio Department of Commerce sharing answers to frequently asked questions that may apply at music festivals:
- Individuals must be 21 or older to possess non-medical marijuana.
- The allowable amount of cannabis to be possessed by a non-medical consumer is 15 grams of extract and 2.5 ounces of another form of cannabis.
- Using non-medical cannabis in public areas is a minor misdemeanor.
- Laws that prohibit smoking or vaping in indoor public spaces also apply to cannabis.
Using, buying, or distributing non-medical marijuana at a music festival in Ohio may still result in criminal charges. Amendments to new statutes may impact cannabis use and the timelines that apply to current legislation and laws. Speak with a drug crime defense lawyer in Columbus at Koffel Brininger Nesbitt if you are charged with a cannabis-related offense.
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Possible Sentencing for Being Caught with Drugs at an Ohio Music Festival
Drug sentences vary depending on the charges. Pretrial-trial diversion programs may be ordered for offenders who the prosecuting attorney believes will likely not commit an offense again. Sentencing for drug possession in Ohio may include:
- Fines or fees
- Probation
- Jail or prison sentencing
- Community service
- Attendance in a drug abuse treatment program
Felony convictions will result in long-lasting, impactful consequences, such as losing the right to vote and the ability to own firearms. A felony conviction can make securing housing and gainful employment more challenging and may limit admission to specific colleges or universities. A Columbus drug crime attorney will seek alternative punishments or interventions for drug convictions in Ohio as allowed by the law.
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Possible Defenses Against Drug Possession at a Music Festival
Never assume that help is not available if you are caught with drugs at a music festival. Learn more about us and how and our commitment to helping clients as shared in these client testimonials. The defenses to drug charges will depend on the facts in your case and may include:
- The drugs were not yours
- The drugs in your possession were legal based on the need for medical treatment
- Your rights under the Fourth Amendment were violated, leading to a search without probable cause
- Errors in the chain of command led to you being charged with possession of drugs belonging to someone else
- A lack of substantial evidence
Your case will be thoroughly evaluated to ensure your rights are protected. Additionally, possessing drug paraphernalia at a music festival can lead to your arrest. A Columbus drug paraphernalia defense lawyer can offer guidance if charges result from the possession of any items considered drug paraphernalia at a Columbus music festival.
Speak with a Columbus Drug Crime Defense Lawyer
Music festivals provide exhilarating moments and the opportunity to experience a much-deserved outing with friends. However, the fun can come to an instantaneous halt if you are caught with drugs at a music festival. The situation can quickly lead to a lasting criminal record impacting your future.
Laws applying to drug possession in Ohio apply even at music festival venues. Contact us immediately and speak with a Columbus criminal defense attorney at Koffel Brininger Nesbitt to protect your rights. Let’s discuss what options may be available for a drug charge defense after being caught with drugs at a music festival.
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