Published in Criminal Law by Chris Eskew on February 12, 2024.
For the first time in almost 40 years, the Indianapolis Pacers are hosting the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend – a multi-day experience packed full of activities and entertainment. This year’s biggest weekend in professional basketball will bring more than 125,000 people to Indianapolis and fans are sure to celebrate.
It is important to know that too much celebrating can lead to cases of Public Intoxication. Other undesirable situations we commonly see during big event weekends include being arrested and charged with a DUI/OWVI, possession of marijuana, or disorderly conduct, other drug charges, and trespassing. Getting arrested can happen to anybody – and it’s not something you should take lightly.
Until recently, it was illegal to be in a public place in a state of intoxication. That law was changed to require that a person be in a public place in a state of intoxication caused by the person’s use of alcohol if the person endangered their own life or the life of another; breached the peace; or harassed, annoyed, or alarmed another person. However, the last part of this section of the Indiana Code was held unconstitutional due to its vagueness. More specifically, the statute failed to provide notice enabling ordinary people to understand the conduct that it prohibited and authorized arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.
This change in the Code will likely lead to a decrease in the number of arrests at 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend events because the statute now requires that a person do something more than be annoying to be arrested. Instead, for someone to pick up a case for Public Intoxication in Indianapolis, they must have endangered the life of a person or breached the peace in some way.
Marijuana
Marijuana is still illegal in Indiana. Possession of a medical prescription is NOT a defense in Indiana. Our local prosecutor has made the decision not prosecute simple possession of marijuana cases but if you are arrested for something else and marijuana is found you may be prosecuted.
What Should I Do If Someone I Know Gets Arrested at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend?
If you are a local or if you’re from out of state it is important to find a criminal defense lawyer in Indianapolis if you’re arrested during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend.
The first thing you should do if you or someone you know is arrested is to contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney who can discuss your options and explain the next steps. Even if you simply receive a citation and are released, that constitutes an arrest – and a lawyer will need to help fight the charges pending against you. Make sure you understand the types of bond issued for the release of someone who is arrested.
It is also important to stay calm and to know your rights if you are arrested. It is essential to comply with law enforcement, with the exception of answering incriminating questions, and speak to an attorney as soon as possible once you’ve been detained.
