If you are attending the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, an arrest can put a serious damper on your trip. You must now deal with criminal charges in a state you do not live in. It is natural to feel overwhelmed and anxious about your future as you try to determine the best course of action. Regardless of the criminal offense you are arrested for committing, you must take the charges very seriously. Speaking to an experienced Park City criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible can make a significant difference in the outcome if you’ve been arrested at Sundance.
The Conyers & Nix attorneys are ready to help you address your criminal charges and answer your questions in a thorough, comprehensive, and empathetic manner. The Sundance Film Festival is a “hybrid” festival held in Park City, Salt Lake City, and beyond from January 19 through January 29th. The festival includes world-premiere feature films, short films, and episodic work. Don’t let an arrest at Sundance derail your future—let attorneys Kate Conyers and Jesse Nix help you through this difficult time.
What Are the Most Common Crimes that Occur at Events Like the Sundance Film Festival?
While any crime can occur when many people gather for an event, the most common tend to be the following:
- DUI—The first thing you should know about a DUI arrest in Utah is that the legal BAC level is significantly lower in Utah than in all other states. While most states have a BAC (breath alcohol content) limit of 0.08 percent, the limit in Utah is 0.05 percent. For an average-sized adult, this is only two “standard” drinks, like a beer or a glass of wine. While you may think you are not inebriated, your breath score over .05 could lead to a DUI charge. You could be charged with either a Class B or a Class A misdemeanor for a first-time DUI, depending on whether any injuries resulted if there were minors in the vehicle, and your BAC. A Class B misdemeanor can result in a fine as large as $2,000 and up to six months in jail, while a Class A misdemeanor can result in a fine as large as $2,500 and up to a year in jail. With no extenuating circumstances, the judge will likely order 48 hours in jail, fines and fees amounting to $1,370, a 120-day suspension of your driver’s license, and a screening to determine whether you must attend alcohol education or treatment. The judge could also order supervised probation and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
- Drug crimes—Utah is fairly tough on drug crimes. While many states surrounding Utah have either legalized or decriminalized possession of marijuana, Utah continues to arrest people for possessing even small amounts. Utah also has a mandatory driver’s license suspension of six months for any marijuana conviction. Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of six months in jail, with a maximum fine of $1,000.
- Public intoxication charges can occur whenever a police officer believes an individual is a threat to the safety of others or to their own safety. The officer may put the individual in jail until such a threat no longer exists. Public intoxication is a Class C misdemeanor in Utah, carrying a potential sentence of 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $750.
- Disorderly conduct can include fighting or engaging in other types of violent or threatening behaviors. This can even include making unreasonable noises in a public place, obstructing a vehicle or pedestrian traffic, refusing to comply with a police officer’s order, or knowingly creating a “hazardous or physically offensive” condition. Disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor that carries a potential sentence of 90 days in jail and a fine as large as $750.
- Assault occurs when one person intentionally acts in a manner that is aggressive or threatening, instilling fear in another person or attempting to harm another person using force or violence. The charges can be increased to aggravated assault if a weapon is involved or if the violence could potentially result in the death of the victim. Simple assault is a Class B misdemeanor that can result in up to six months in jail and a $1,500 fine,
- Theft offenses are charged as a Class B misdemeanor when the value of the stolen property is less than $500, or as a Class A misdemeanor when the value of the stolen property is more than $500, but less than $1,500.
What Should You Do if You Are Charged with a Crime While Attending the Sundance Film Festival?
If you are arrested at Sundance, it is imperative that you seek highly qualified legal assistance immediately. If you do nothing or attempt to defend yourself, you are very likely to spend time in jail and face high fines. Once you have a knowledgeable Park City criminal defense attorney from Conyers & Nix by your side, you can rest easy, knowing we will fight for you, using every resource available to prevent you from spending time in jail.
What is the Criminal Defense Process if You Are Traveling from Out-of-State and Arrested at Sundance?
You may be required to post an expensive bail and appear in court multiple times, depending on your crime. No matter what state you are from, you are subject to Utah’s jurisdiction when arrested at Sundance. If convicted of the criminal offense and sentenced to jail, you will have to serve that time in Utah. In some cases, you could even be held in jail until trial.
In short, individual states don’t much care where you are from, only that you’ve committed a crime in their jurisdiction. If your charges are misdemeanor charges, you may be allowed to leave Utah and return to your home; however, this doesn’t mean you can avoid prosecution by doing so. If you were not arrested but received a citation, you can likely leave the state, but you shouldn’t do so before speaking to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney from Conyers & Nix.
Why Choose a Park City Criminal Defense Attorney from Conyers & Nix if You Are Arrested at Sundance?
When you hire a Park City criminal defense attorney from Conyers & Nix following your Sundance arrest, you will immediately see the benefit of having an aggressive attorney by your side. Our wide range of experience defending those charged with criminal offenses provides you an immediate advantage. We will aggressively protect your legal rights while advocating strongly for you throughout the process. Contact our team today!
