I’m a State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist and my practice is based in Indio. I’ve represented hundreds of people arrested at the Coachella Festival.

If you do decide to take drugs into the festival – please be safe. That should include testing for fentanyl and taking precautions so that you don’t get separated from your group.

Most of the arrests last year took place near the festival entrance. Undercover cops are watching for people who stuff something into their underwear, sock, or bra before getting in line for security, OR people who do the reverse shortly after clearing security. Please don’t do this. The porta potties are a good private spot to handle special packages!

The second most common fact pattern was just people being TOO OBVIOUS. Don’t stand out in the open with a plastic baggie full of pills or powder in your hand. Also, don’t share, give away, or sell drugs – anyone asking is likely to be an undercover cop.

Typically police process about 100 arrests per weekend. This is obviously just a tiny fraction of people using. Those who get arrested are the most obvious and unlucky.

IF you are approached by a cop, please remember your right to SHUT THE FUCK UP (5th Amendment) and your right against UNREASONABLE SEARCHES (4th Amendment). If anyone asks you “what did you just take out of your sock?” – the only correct answer is “Am I being detained or am I free to leave?” And quietly walk away if you are not detained. If an officer asks permission to look inside your pockets or backpack, the ONLY correct answer is “Only if you can show me a warrant.”

You have the right to ask an officer if you are being detained and you have the right to refuse a “consensual” search.

The cop may be agitated if you ask for clarification, but please don’t worry about making the cop cranky. Police are happiest and easiest to deal with when you confess and consent to a search – you are making their job easy and assuring your own conviction later in court. Cops tell people all the time that being “cooperative” will help with the DA or judge. This is FALSE – asserting your constitutional rights does not result in harsher punishment.

If a cop COMMANDS you to do something, always obey a clear command. You certainly can ask if something is a command, but if the officer commands you to do something, please comply. Failure to comply with an order can get you tased or beaten.

Coachella drug cases can have serious consequences – even though most people will be granted some form of diversion, the case will show on employment or housing background checks until the dismissal date. Some people also will have to go through disciplinary proceedings if they have a professional license (like nurses or teachers). A drug case can have major impacts on non-citizens.

For a more detailed article about where cops are typically looking, what to do if approached by police, and the consequences of arrest (if you don’t follow my advice), there is a detailed FAQ on my website.