TAMPA, FL, November 11, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — A Tampa, FL drug possession lawyer is advising attendees of the We Belong Here Tampa Bay festival, held December 11 through 13 at Armature Works Riverfront, on what to do after a drug arrest. StechLaw Criminal Defense prepared the guidance for the 21-and-over event.
Under section 893.13, Florida Statutes, possession of most controlled substances other than cannabis is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis is a first-degree misdemeanor. A conviction can also affect employment, professional licenses, and housing applications. Cases arising from arrests at the venue are prosecuted in Hillsborough County.
Attendees who are detained have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Ben Stechschulte recommends declining to answer questions about any substance or who owns it, refusing consent to searches, and avoiding discussion of the arrest with friends or on social media. Statements made at the scene or on recorded jail phone calls can be introduced as evidence.
“A festival arrest is not a conviction,” said Mr. Stechschulte, who is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law. “Police searches at crowded events must still follow constitutional limits. Evidence from an unlawful search can be challenged in court.”
Early involvement from defense counsel allows for review of body camera footage, lab results, and the circumstances of the stop before charging decisions are final. As a former Hillsborough County prosecutor, Mr. Stechschulte brings that perspective to his drug crime defense work. Attendees and their families can request a free consultation at any hour.
About the Firm:
StechLaw Criminal Defense represents clients throughout the Tampa Bay area in state and federal criminal cases. Ben Stechschulte opened the practice in 2012 after serving as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County. He is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar and has tried more than 60 cases to verdict. A graduate of Stetson University College of Law, Mr. Stechschulte was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015.
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