5 Tips For the 2013 Columbus Festival And Concert Season

As the Columbus summer season rapidly approaches, so does a myriad of local festivals and concerts. In addition to numerous outdoor concerts, the 2013 Columbus Festival Season< also has a little something for everyone – from music to books to art and wine. Before heading out for a day or evening of fun, the following are a few tips and reminders to avoid unwanted encounters with the law:

1. The minimum drinking age is still 21. You must be at least 21 years old to consume or purchase alcohol in a public or private place, or you will be charged with an underage alcohol offense. However, if you are supervised by a parent while attending a concert or festival, then you cannot be prosecuted.
2. Open containers. Depending on the festival, you may or may not be allowed to have an open container of alcohol.  Most music festivals or concerts in Ohio permit open containers. However, it’s always best to air on the side of caution if you aren’t sure whether an open container will be permitted. Check the event’s website or contact event management for clarification.
3. Call a taxi if you’re too inebriated to drive. Sometimes it’s easy to consume too many alcoholic beverages at public concerts and festivals. Since Ohio’s legal limit is .08% BAC, it is best to avoid driving and DUI charges if you’re beyond this limit in order protect yourself and others.
4. Public restrooms mean public restrooms at concerts and festivals. Oftentimes, alcohol is involved in public urination offenses. It might seem easy and convenient at the time to use the restroom behind a bush or tree, but you are putting yourself at risk for being charged with public urination. Public urination can occur on any publicly owned property or private property that is not designed to be used as a bathroom.
5. Keep your behavior in check if you’re going to be consuming a lot of alcohol at a concert or festival.  Once anyone has consumed a large amount of alcohol, they are not going to be acting logically or rationally. It’s easy to make bad decisions and act obnoxiously. If you’re going to be attending a summer concert or festival, remember to be aware of your limits when it comes to alcohol to avoid being charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated. To be charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated, you must have either behaved offensively, caused a public annoyance or alarm or created a risk of physical harm to others or yourself while being voluntarily intoxicated.

Don’t let anything bad happen during the 2013 Columbus festival and concert season by taking note of the following precautions. Should an unfortunate event occur, remember that you can always contact a Columbus criminal defense attorney for experienced legal advice and counsel.