Since 1999, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival – now commonly known as "Coachella" or the "Coachella Festival" – has grown to be one of the most recognized and anticipated music festivals in the nation. It has also come to be known as a hotbed of very aggressive police activity and sees a large number of arrests every year. Many Coachella arrests are for public intoxication and driving under the influence. However, closer to the venue, local law enforcement also run undercover stings targeting concert goers for arrest for drug possession and sales. Most simple possession offenses are now misdemeanors, but furnishing drugs remains a felony, and every year undercover police solicit dozens of hand-to-hand sales, followed by felony arrests.
CALL (888) 541-1436 IF ARRESTED
In 2012, more than 200 arrests were made over the two festival weekends. More than 150 were made over the two festival weekends in 2013 and again in 2014. Despite major changes in California law, well over 100 arrests were made in 2015. The majority of all of these arrests were drug- and/or alcohol-related. Law enforcement is onsite, often undercover, searching for fake IDs, drug possession, and especially drug sales.
This year, 125 arrests have already been made in the first weekend of the 2017 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which is down three arrets from last year's opening weekened.
The Law Office of Joseph T. Rhea is located in dowtown Palm Springs and provides outstanding criminal defense representation for Indio residents and Coachella attendees. Coachella criminal defense attorney Joseph Rhea knows what law enforcement does at Coachella every year (including entrapment) and will work hard to protect you in court. If you or someone you know has been arrested at Coachella, call now at (888) 541-1436 for local and experienced defense representation. Attorney Rhea has over a decade of experience in the local courts and his practice is devoted exclusively to criminal defense and medical marijuana advocacy.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, please be aware that a PC1000 diversion of a drug case can make you excludable from the United States. Every year, foreign tourists come to Coachella, get arrested for drug possession, and then agree to a "diverson" deal on their criminal case. This sounds like a great deal: take a class and get your case dismissed.
However, it is a complete disaster if you are not a U.S. citizen. Homeland Security can and will exclude you from the United States based on a diversion agreement. So, if you have been arrested for drugs, and you are not a U.S. citizen -- slow down, your case very serious becuase of the immigration consequences.
Planning to attend Coachella 2017? Educate yourself on how to avoid any run-ins with the law. Law enforcement will be on the lookout for intoxication and illegal substance abuse. The Law Office of Joseph T. Rhea recommends that you take the following precautions to avoid an arrest:
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Nearly 200 artists will be performing this year, providing continuous entertainment across multiple states and theaters. Click here for a
MAP OF COACHELLA 2017 so that you know your way around!
The 2017 Coachella lineup includes artist such as:
Click here for the full 2017 Coachella lineup.
Starting in 2003, festival-goers have been allowed to camp on the grounds with permits. Anyone interested in camping at Coachella has the following options:
Camping amenities include the following:
Click here for the FULL COACHELLA CAMPING INFO.
Due to the fact that nearly 250,000 people are expected to attend the 2017 Coachella Festival between the two weekends, it is important that you be on the alert while driving. Intoxicated drivers and DUI checkpoints are both very common.
SLOW ROUTES
CLOSED ROADS
To avoid traffic and closed roads, it is recommended that you use the following routes:
“Mr. Rhea was extremely knowledgeable which, without a doubt, was the reason the Judge dismissed my case without any fines, probation, etc. Additionally, his vast knowledge helped lay out all the scenarios which helped relieve my anxieties. He was extremely prompt and reliable which made working with him a pleasure. I would highly recommend Mr. Rhea’s services to anyone and everyone.” – Former Federal Drug Possession Client