Criminal Defense Attorneys for EDC Arrests

Every June hundreds of people get arrested at the Electric Daisy Carnival (“EDC”) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The most common Nevada crimes that allegedly occur during this three-day electronic music festival include (1) drug possession (2) marijuana possession, (3) DUI, and (4) battery.¹

Note that the EDC is patrolled largely by security guards, who are not bound by the same constitutional restraints as police: Security guards do not have to read Miranda rights to people they take into custody. And security guards can interrogate detainees even if they demand an attorney. So festival-goers should remember to remain silent because their words can be used against them.

Below our Las Vegas Electric Daisy Carnival lawyers discuss the most frequently-charged EDC crimes as well as potential penalties and how we can fight the charges. An arrest does not guarantee a conviction. And it is often possible to get Nevada criminal charges lessened or even dismissed with no conviction.

• 1. Drug possession arrests at the EDC
• 2. Marijuana possession arrests at the EDC
• 3. DUI arrests at the EDC
• 4. Battery arrests at the EDC
• 5. Indecent exposure arrests at the EDC
• 6. Other EDC arrests

1. Drug possession arrest lawyers at the Electric Daisy Carnival

EDC has a “zero-tolerance” policy for drug use and possession. Dozens of security guards man EDC’s entrances and search patrons’ bags for contraband. They will then confiscate any controlled substances they find and detain the patrons in a holding area, where Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers will arrest them.

Just in 2016, there were 73 felony narcotic arrests at the EDC. The two most common drug arrests at EDC are for possession of ketamine and possession of ecstasy (also known as MDMA or “Molly”).²

Penalties

Penalties depends on the amount and if the defendant has prior convictions. See our page on drug possession (NRS 453.336) to learn more.

Note that possession of drug paraphernalia is punished as a misdemeanor in Nevada. The sentence is:

• up to $1,000 and/or
• up to 6 months in jail

Defenses

A key element of the Nevada crime of drug possession is that the defendant knowingly possessed the drugs. So if the defense attorney can show that the defendant was honestly unaware of the drugs’ presence, the D.A. may dismiss the case. For instance:

Example: Jim is on line to enter the EDC fairgrounds. He notices security guards searching everyone for drugs. Jim has an ecstasy pill in his pocket, so he furtively slips it into Jon’s backpack in front of him. When the security guards finds the pill in Jon’s bag, they detain him.

Ultimately Jon gets arrested and charged with drug possession. The prosecutors then have the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jon knew he was in possession of the ecstasy. If the defense attorney can show that Jon was genuinely unaware of it, the case should be thrown out.

In the above example, possible evidence that Jon had no knowledge of the ecstasy would be surveillance video and/or any eyewitnesses.

Another possible defense to drug possession charges is that the police found the drugs through an illegal search. In these circumstances, the defendant can ask the judge to disregard any evidence found through the unlawful search. Then the D.A. may be left with insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction for drug possession.³

2. Marijuana possession arrest lawyers at the Electric Daisy Carnival

It is legal in Nevada for adults 21 and older to knowingly possess in private either:

• up to one (1) ounce of marijuana, or
• up to one-eighth of an ounce of concentrated cannabis

However, using or possessing marijuana in public is still a crime. So no marijuana is permitted at the EDC.

Penalties

A first offense of possessing an ounce of marijuana or less in public is a misdemeanor. The punishment is a fine of $600.

Meanwhile, a first offense of possessing more than an ounce of marijuana is a category E felony. The court will grant eligible defendants who plead guilty or no contest a deferral of judgment, which means that the court will dismiss the case if the defendant completes certain court-ordered terms. Otherwise, category E felonies carry probation and a suspended sentence. (But if the defendant has two or more prior felony convictions, the court may impose one to four years in Nevada State Prison and up to $5,000 in fines.)

Defenses

A person is not guilty of marijuana possession if he/she was unaware of the possession. For example, if someone puts marijuana in the defendant’s purse, pocket or car without his/her knowledge, the defendant committed no crime.

Learn more about Nevada marijuana laws.⁴

3. DUI arrest lawyers at the Electric Daisy Carnival

Metro and Nevada Highway Patrol are stationed all around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the EDC. They are on high alert for festival patrons who may be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sometimes cops even set up DUI checkpoints, where every single driver gets pulled over and questioned.

A person can be convicted of DUI in Nevada in any of the following circumstances:

• The driver is driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol; or
• The driver has a blood alcohol level (BAL) of .08 or higher (regardless of whether he/she is driving safely); or
• The driver has a blood alcohol level of any of the following drug level minimums (regardless of whether he/she is driving safely):

Note that if cops find drugs and/or open containers in the drivers’ cars, the driver may also face possession charges.

Penalties

A first-time DUI (with no injuries) is a misdemeanor. Penalties typically include:

• A suspended sentence of 6 months;
• A fine of up to $1,000;
• DUI School;
• Victim Impact Panel
• Driver’s license suspension for 3 months.

Penalties get harsher with each successive conviction and if the incident results in a serious injury or death. Learn more about Nevada DUI penalties.

Defenses

There are dozens of possible defense strategies to fight DUI allegations depending on the case. Three of the more common ones include:

1. The breath- or blood-testing equipment was faulty;
2. The police had no probable cause to make a traffic stop;
3. Acid reflux, heartburn, or other factors caused an elevated BAL result.

Learn more about Nevada DUI defenses.⁵

4. Battery arrest lawyers at the Electric Daisy Carnival

It is not unusual for fights to break out in big crowds.  Unlawfully touching someone else is considered the Nevada crime of battery.

Common examples of battery include punching, slapping, and pushing. But battery can also include throwing objects at, ripping clothes off, or spilling drinks on a person.

Penalties

A simple battery conviction is a misdemeanor carrying:

• up to $1,000 and/or
• up to 6 months in jail

But penalties can become far more severe if the victim is a cop or sustains substantial bodily injuries.

Defenses

Three common defenses to Nevada battery charges are:

1. The accuser struck the defendant first, and the defendant merely acted in lawful self-defense.
2. The touching was unintentional, such as accidentally spilling drinks on another person or elbowing someone by mistake.
3. The defendant was falsely accused, perhaps out of anger, revenge or an innocent misunderstanding.

Another, more rare defense is that the accuser “consented” to the battery. An example is if two parties are arguing and agree to fight it out.⁶

5. Indecent exposure arrest lawyers at the Electric Daisy Carnival

The EDC takes place outdoors in the dead of the Las Vegas summer. Due to the 100 degree-plus heat and crowds of 200,000 people, some festival-goers may feel compelled to strip down to stay cool. But EDC patrons risk Nevada indecent exposure charges for baring either their backsides, genitalia, or (women’s) breasts.

Penalties

A first offense of indecent exposure is a gross misdemeanor in Nevada. The punishment includes:

• up to 364 days in jail and/or
• up to $2,000 in fines

In addition, the judge will also order that the defendant register as a sex offender in Nevada.

Defenses

Many of the outfits EDC patrons wear are eccentric and skimpy. But as long as the prosecution cannot prove that any private parts were exposed, no one should get convicted merely for being scantily clad. Chances are decent the case will be dismissed if there are no photographs or surveillance video documenting the alleged indecent exposure.⁷

6. Other crimes at the Electric Daisy Carnival

It may seem that Las Vegas police officers are at the EDC solely to look for illicit drug use. But they are also there to prevent violations of other criminal laws including theft, sexual assault, and solicitation of prostitution.

Police also are on the lookout for people committing more minor offenses such as public urination or defecation and disorderly conduct. In these cases, cops typically issue citations instead of putting the suspects under arrest.

EDC also has strict rules governing the possession of weapons, drones, and laser pointers at the festival. It is recommended that festival goers check with the EDC guidelines to make sure they understand the restrictions.

For more information contact our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys.

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