The World Cup is sure to bring celebrations across the world, but especially in cities hosting matches. While soccer fans are certainly expected to have fun, they should also be careful about having too much fun. The police will be out and ready to arrest rowdy fans.
If you are arrested during the World Cup, contact a defense lawyer for help immediately. Law enforcement will be working hard to maintain order and enforce crowd control measures, and they may be more likely to arrest people they believe are breaking the law. However, their resources and manpower may be stretched thin, making mistakes more likely. A lawyer should review the circumstances of your arrest immediately to determine if there is any legal merit to the actions of law enforcement.
Receive a free, confidential case assessment from our criminal defense lawyers by calling Kenny, Burns & McGill at (215) 423-5500.
Where to Be Careful Around the Police During World Cup Celebrations
During the World Cup, there will likely be more police officers on patrol, and certain areas may be considered hotspots for rowdy behavior and criminal arrests.
Establishments Serving Alcohol
Be careful when you are at an establishment that serves alcohol, like bars and restaurants. Even if you are not drinking, many others will be, and the police might not be able to tell who is part of a rowdy crowd and who is simply passing by. If things appear to be getting too rowdy, leave the area before the police can mistakenly arrest you.
Stadiums
While fans are encouraged to attend the match, you must exercise caution. Many sports fans become angry, volatile, and even violent, especially if they are drinking. It can be difficult to escape an unruly group of fans when you are enclosed in a stadium. Use your best judgment, stay safe, and call a lawyer if things go wrong.
Street Closures and Block Parties
Certain streets around Philly will be closed to vehicle traffic during World Cup festivities, and pedestrians may walk around freely, possibly while drinking. Be very careful when consuming alcohol in public spaces. Certain outdoor event zones may allow people to drink, but the police will almost certainly be watching for people who drink too much and become unruly.
How to Challenge Criminal Charges After an Arresting During the World Cup
If you are arrested during the World Cup, a lawyer can review your charges and help you determine the most effective way to defend yourself.
Lack of Probable Cause
During the World Cup, the police may need to move quickly to control crowds and ensure public safety. This means they may be more likely to detain or arrest people based on little to no probable cause. If your arrest felt random or you cannot understand what you were doing that would warrant an arrest, call an attorney now. If there is no probable cause, there is likely not enough evidence to warrant criminal charges.
Mistaken Identify
Sometimes, the police arrest the wrong person. This may be a problem when the police are trying to arrest specific people within a crowd or large group. They may mistake you for an unruly member of the crowd instead of someone just passing by or trying to avoid the chaos.
The police might not believe you when you say you had nothing to do with the unruly crowd, which is why you should call a lawyer.
DUI Arrests
If you are arrested for an alleged DUI during the World Cup, our criminal defense lawyers may challenge things like chemical testing results, procedural errors during checkpoints, and a general lack of evidence. Again, during major events like the World Cup, the police tend to arrest first and ask questions later, so it would not be surprising to find that there was little evidence to suggest intoxication in the first place.
How an Attorney Can Help After You Are Arrested During the World Cup
If you are arrested, the police must give you the chance to call a lawyer for help.
Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Evidence
If there is little evidence to suggest that a crime occurred or that you were involved, your lawyer can file a pretrial motion to dismiss the case for a lack of evidence. This may work if there is so little evidence that prosecutors cannot possibly meet their burden of proof.
Present Exculpatory Evidence
Even if incriminating evidence exists, we may have evidence that undermines it and helps prove that you did not commit a crime. For example, if you were arrested along with members of an unruly crowd, security camera footage may show that you had nothing to do with the unruly crowd and that your arrest was a mistake.
Demand Evidence During Discovery
We must make the authorities prove that their evidence justifies the arrest and charges. We can do this by demanding that they turn over their relevant evidence during the discover phase. This is required, and if we believe the prosecution is withholding evidence, we can ask the court to compel its production.
Often, reviewing the prosecution’s evidence reveals how flawed their case is, and we can build your defense around these flaws.
FAQs About Being Arrested During the World Cup
When Should You Call a Lawyer After Being Arrested During the World Cup?
Contact an attorney as soon as possible. After your arrest, the police may want to ask questions about the incident, but they must inform you of your right to have a lawyer present, among others. Invoke this right immediately and call a lawyer.
How Can You Fight Charges After an Arrest During the World Cup?
The police may be stretched thin during the World Cup, as many sports fans will flock to the city to celebrate. As such, they may be more prone to mistakes. Your attorney can review your arrest, determine if any errors occurred, and use them to undermine possible criminal charges.
What Places Should You Avoid During the World Cup?
You should avoid or at least exercise caution around places known to become rowdy or volatile during festivities or celebrations. Bars, viewing parties, the stadium, and public spaces zoned for outdoor parties and drinking will likely have a significant police presence during the World Cup.
What Should You Do While Being Arrested During the World Cup?
When being arrested, stay calm and do not fight back against the police. Even if they are rough or rude, or refuse to listen to your pleas, stay calm and cooperate as best you can. Fighting back will only lead to more criminal charges and possible physical force from the police.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorneys About Your Arrest Right Away
Receive a free, confidential case assessment from our criminal defense lawyers by calling Kenny, Burns & McGill at (215) 423-5500.
