With the We Belong Here Tampa Bay festival set to take place December 11 through 13 at Armature Works Riverfront, a Tampa criminal defense firm is urging attendees to understand their rights and the potential penalties if they are arrested on drug charges. StechLaw Criminal Defense, led by Board Certified Criminal Trial Law attorney Ben Stechschulte, has prepared guidance for the 21-and-over event, emphasizing that a festival arrest can carry lasting consequences beyond the immediate detention.
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. Beyond incarceration, a conviction can affect employment opportunities, professional licenses, and housing applications. Cases arising from arrests at the venue are prosecuted in Hillsborough County, where the festival is located.
According to the firm, attendees who are detained have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. 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 later be introduced as evidence in court.
"A festival arrest is not a conviction," said 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." The firm notes that 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.
Stechschulte brings a unique perspective to his drug crime defense work as a former Hillsborough County prosecutor. He opened his practice in 2012 after serving as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County and has tried more than 60 cases to verdict. He is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015.
For attendees and their families, the firm offers the ability to request a free consultation at any hour, underscoring the urgency of securing legal representation quickly after an arrest. The guidance comes as thousands are expected to gather for the three-day festival, a setting where crowded conditions and heightened police presence can lead to encounters that may raise constitutional questions. The firm's advice highlights the importance of knowing one's rights before attending large events where law enforcement may conduct searches or make arrests. With felony charges carrying up to five years in prison, the stakes for attendees are significant, and the difference between a conviction and a dismissed case can hinge on early legal intervention and a careful review of the evidence.
