Leeds, Reading & Creamfields Festival Weekend Means A Busy Time for Criminal Law Solicitors

With The Busiest Festival Weekend of the Summer Looming, We Offer a Timely Reminder Of The Criminal Law Risks For Revellers.

Reading Festival, Leeds Festival and Creamfields bring thousands of people together for one of the biggest weekends in the UK music calendar. For the overwhelming majority, it will simply be a great weekend.

However, festivals also bring increased policing, security and the potential for situations involving drugs, alcohol, disorder or allegations of criminal behaviour. Sometimes those caught up in them are people who have never previously been in trouble with the police.

Festival Crime Is Not Just About Organised Drug Dealing

Large music festivals inevitably attract attention from police and security teams looking to identify organised criminal activity, particularly the supply of various classes of recreational drugs.

However, not everyone arrested at a festival is part of an organised criminal network. A combination of alcohol, unfamiliar surroundings, large crowds and decisions made in the heat of the moment can result in otherwise law-abiding people suddenly finding themselves dealing with the police.

Something that starts as an argument, an impulsive decision or an attempt to join in with friends can potentially have consequences extending far beyond the festival weekend.

Drug Possession and Supply at Music Festivals

Drugs remain an obvious area of police activity at festivals. Possession can result in arrest and prosecution, while allegations of supplying drugs are considerably more serious.

Importantly, drug supply does not necessarily mean someone operating as a commercial dealer. Giving or sharing a controlled drug with another person can potentially amount to supply in law.

The circumstances surrounding possession can therefore become extremely important where police suspect that drugs were intended for other people.

Assaults, Arguments and Public Order Offences

Festivals can involve large quantities of alcohol, crowded spaces and heightened emotions. An argument between strangers – or even between friends – can quickly develop into an allegation of assault or a public order offence.

Police will consider witness accounts, CCTV, mobile phone footage, body-worn video and evidence from festival security when investigating what occurred.

Being intoxicated does not remove criminal responsibility, while an individual who genuinely acted in self-defence may need to explain circumstances that are considerably more complicated than a short video clip initially suggests.

Sexual Offences and the Importance of Consent

Festivals are social environments where people meet, drink and form new relationships. Consent remains essential regardless of the setting.

Someone who is heavily intoxicated may not have the capacity to consent to sexual activity, and consent to one form of activity does not automatically amount to consent to another.

Allegations of sexual offences are extremely serious for everyone involved and require careful investigation of the individual circumstances and available evidence.

Drink and Drug Driving After a Festival

The legal risks do not necessarily end when the music stops.

Anyone driving home should remember that alcohol consumed the previous night can remain in the body the following morning. Controlled drugs can similarly create both safety and legal problems for drivers.

Police operations around major events may include roadside enforcement, and a conviction for drink or drug driving can result in disqualification as well as wider consequences for employment and everyday life.

Theft, Criminal Damage and Other Festival Offences

Other investigations can involve theft of phones, bags or other property, damage to tents or festival facilities, possession of prohibited items and confrontations with security staff.

What seems relatively minor in the middle of a festival can become much more serious once police become involved.

What Happens If You Are Arrested at a Festival?

Anyone arrested and taken into police custody has the right to independent legal advice.

It can be tempting, particularly for somebody who has never previously been arrested, to assume that the quickest solution is simply to answer questions and explain everything immediately. However, what is said during a police interview can become important evidence in any subsequent proceedings.

Obtaining legal advice does not imply guilt. A solicitor can explain the allegation, advise on the evidence disclosed by police and ensure that a suspect understands their rights before making important decisions during an investigation.

Criminal Defence Solicitors Available Over the Festival Weekend

Reading, Leeds and Creamfields are huge festicals which should be about enjoying live music and spending time with friends, and for the vast majority of festivalgoers that is exactly what they will be.

Nevertheless, people can make mistakes, misunderstandings occur and allegations can be made. A person who has never previously encountered the criminal justice system can find themselves needing legal representation unexpectedly.

Morton’s Solicitors has criminal defence solicitors available to provide legal advice and representation where required over the festival weekend.

If you or somebody you are attending a festival with is arrested, invited to attend a voluntary police interview or requires urgent advice following an incident, seeking legal advice at the earliest opportunity can be important.

Enjoy the festival, look after yourself and your friends, and make sensible decisions. But if the weekend does not go according to plan, our criminal defence team is available to help.

How We Can Help.

If you have any questions relating to legal representation for any criminal offence or criminal investigations – then don’t hesitate to call us now on 0161 477 1121 or email us.