The world-renowned music festival Lollapalooza takes place over 4 days in Chicago’s Grant Park. More than 100,000 music fans attend each day of the event. This year’s festival takes place from 8/1 to 8/4 and features nearly 100 bands including daily headliners The Strokes, The Chainsmokers, Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, Twenty One Pilots, J Balvin, Ariana Grande, And Flume.
You can expect a large police presence whenever there is such a large crowd of music fans gathered for multiple days. In 2017, there were 27 arrests and 29 citations issued at the site of the show. But that doesn’t include the many arrests logged by state police or cops in other towns and counties across Illinois and even out of state.
Police are absolutely known to stop out of state cars or vehicles with Lollapalooza or other stickers indicating they are traveling to the festival. They will pull you over and attempt to justify a search for drugs or other contraband.
Last year, arrests on-site at Grant Park were primarily for drug possession, battery, theft, and trespassing. Most of the criminal citations were for trespassing charges – for fence jumping to sneak into the concert.
At the Dailey law firm, we are experienced, criminal lawyers who will work to help you avoid a criminal record and conviction for any of these charges resulting from arrest at the event.
Trespassing Arrests at Lollapalooza
This year there was a significant incident where 50 teenagers were arrested for criminal trespassing for climbing the gates to gain entry the Lollapalooza grounds.
For teens in particular, it is important to maintain a clean record. A criminal charge that appears on a background check can seriously impact a young person future. A criminal conviction can prevent you from getting a job, a scholarship, an apartment rental, a professional certification, and many more things.
If you are concerned about your teen’s criminal record, give me a call to discuss how we can work to avoid this consequence in court.
Our local Chicago lawyers have successfully worked out many cases like this to avoid any criminal record.
Give me a call at (800) 833-7831 or Click here to Text me directly for immediate help.
What should I do if I’m arrested at Lollapalooza?
First, do not admit to anything or say anything at all to avoid making an incriminating statement. If asked about what happened, simply refuse to answer until you speak to a lawyer.
Nothing you say will help you once the police are involved. You will not talk yourself out of an arrest. This just doesn’t happen. You will only make things worse by whatever excuses you give. Even if they are true and you are wrongly arrested or your rights were violated. Once the police are investigating, there is nothing you can do at that time.
I was illegally searched at Lollapalooza. Can I fight my case or sue?
It depends. You can definitely fight your case, but we will have to hear the circumstances of exactly what happened.
When you enter the festival ground, security does have the right to search your bags and your person. It is essentially in the contract when you buy a ticket for admission to the show. And the rules state that things like vaping devices, hydration packs that have any liquid in them before you enter the grounds, glass containers, weapons, alcohol and drugs or illegal substances are all prohibited.
However, once you are inside the event, the rules are more complicated as to what might consist of an illegal search.
Give me a call or text me to discuss what happened to you.
Can I Avoid a Criminal Conviction on a drug charge at Lollapalooza?
Yes. If you are charged with possession of a small amount of drugs, whether it is cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, or mushrooms – there are a number of deals we can fight for to avoid a permanent conviction for drug possession appearing on your record. We have negotiated deals including second chance probation, and drug school that will keep your record clean after completion of some type of program.
If you are charged with the more serious offense of drug distribution, it is a little more complicated.
In that case, we would also most likely file a motion to suppress and argue the points of an illegal search in a hearing. How the case proceeds depends on your exact situation, and how the charges went down.
But there are always legal defense options we can pursue.
About Lollapalooza
The Lollapalooza festival has a rich history in the Alternative Music world. It was started by Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction as a touring festival in 1991. Since 2005, it has been held at Grant Park in Chicago.
More info on Lollapalooza defense lawyers at lollapaloozalawyers.com. Look for the billboard and other advertising at the show!