If you’ve been arrested at the Coachella or Stagecoach music festivals, it’s important to understand your rights and the steps you should take to protect yourself. Law enforcement is known to increase their presence during these large-scale events, and thousands of attendees are targeted each year—often without just cause.
Stay Calm and Know Your Rights
The first and most important thing to do when contacted by police is to stay calm. Whether you’re approached by uniformed officers or undercover law enforcement disguised as festival goers, your behavior can significantly impact your outcome.
- Be polite and respectful.
- Do not admit to any wrongdoing.
- Do not consent to any search without a warrant or probable cause.
Our experience representing hundreds of clients arrested at Coachella and Stagecoach shows that many arrests begin with a simple interaction that escalates unnecessarily. Officers may rely on vague suspicions and attempt to get you to incriminate yourself or allow a search without a warrant. You have a constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
What Police Can and Cannot Do Before an Arrest
Before you’re formally arrested:
- Police cannot legally search your pockets or bags without consent or probable cause.
- You only need to identify yourself, nothing more.
- If asked to empty your pockets or disclose what you have on you, you can politely decline.
Remember, your silence cannot be held against you. Anything you say can and will be used in court, so the best option is to remain silent and request legal counsel immediately.
If You Are Arrested at Coachella or Stagecoach
Once you are formally arrested, officers are permitted to conduct a search. However, your right to remain silent remains intact.
Clearly state:
“I would like to speak with an attorney before answering any questions.”
If asked who your attorney is, you may state that you are requesting representation from The Jimenez Law Offices. Attorneys Jessica Jimenez and her father are available 24/7—especially during the Coachella and Stagecoach weekends—to provide immediate legal support.
We understand that many festival attendees are simply trying to enjoy themselves, and unfortunately become targets of law enforcement efforts aimed at meeting quotas and increasing revenue.
Common Charges at Coachella and Stagecoach
Our firm has extensive experience defending against a wide range of festival-related criminal charges, including:
- Drug possession (including recreational substances)
- Possession for sale
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- DUI – Driving under the influence
- Minor in possession of alcohol
- Possession of fake IDs
- Disorderly conduct or resisting arrest
Whether you were arrested for something serious or minor, you deserve an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the festival environment and how law enforcement operates during these events.
Why Choose the Jimenez Law Offices?
We are:
- Local – Based just minutes from the festival grounds and courthouse
- Experienced – With hundreds of successful festival defense cases
- Available – Offering 24/7 legal support during festival weekends
- Trusted – Known as the top Coachella Valley criminal defense attorneys
If you’ve been arrested at Coachella or Stagecoach, don’t wait. Contact a Coachella criminal defense lawyer who knows how to protect your rights and get the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact Us for the Best Defense
If you have been arrested in the Coachella Valley, don’t wait. Call us immediately. We are dedicated to defending your case as if you were our only client – because you matter that much to us!
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step towards protecting your freedom. call us now (760) 345-4777 or text us (760-898-0207) for a free consultation to discuss what your legal rights are and possible defenses in your case.
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