More than half of the cases resulting from arrests at the Okeechobee Music Fest were dropped by prosecutor Ashley Albright, who cited the use of administrative searches as the deciding factor for these cases. Albright indicated that random searches without probable cause were responsible for many of the arrests that could not be prosecuted under the law. As a result, 40 of those arrests have been dropped by Albright. For those who may still be facing charges based on their Okeechobee music festival arrest, contacting a qualified criminal attorney can provide added help in dealing with these charges effectively.
Random Stops to Blame
As many as 99 people were arrested during the course of the musical festival, which lasted for four days. Many of these individuals were targeted on their way to the venue by law enforcement officials, who set up shop at each of the most popular highway exits that lead to the area of the festival. According to Florida law, police are not permitted to stop all vehicles en route to a particular destination. However, if they can claim probable cause, these stops may be allowable as a way to obtain evidence against individuals under suspicion of a crime.
Lack of Probable Cause
Because the Okeechobee music festival arrests were performed randomly or on the basis of superficial physical appearance, they lacked the probable cause necessary to justify the search and seizure of items inside vehicles. This led to Albright’s decision to drop these cases. Working with a qualified Okeechobee musical festival lawyer can be a solid step toward resolving any issues you may have with an arrest or unjustified search related to this popular musical event.
Avoiding Issues with Law Enforcement
By obeying the letter of the law when driving to or near the Okeechobee festival, you can usually avoid attracting the attention of police officers in the area.
- Come to a complete stop at all stop signs.
- Maintain the posted legal speed without exceeding it.
- Make sure your vehicle is in proper operating order with no broken or missing headlights, taillights or other damaged equipment.
If you are stopped by police, contact an Okeechobee musical festival lawyer as soon as possible. Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates can provide you with the support you need to protect your good name and avoid legal consequences for unjustified arrests. Call us today at 772-489-8501 to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to the chance to work with you.
