NO! Many people tend to be surprised when the fake ID they have been using at bars and other festivals doesn’t work at Coachella or Stagecoach. I have represented many clients caught using high quality scannable fake ID. Many former clients were arrested on the second or third day of the festival, after getting a wrist band other days with no problem. Alcohol and Beverage Control officers are the most skilled at catching fake ID’s and there are officers at the ID check booths. It does not matter how many times you have used your fake ID before, there is a high chance you will get caught with it at Coachella or Stagecoach.

If you are questioned, ask if you are being detained. If the answer is no then you should leave quietly. Do not run - this triggers a predatory response in cops - they will attack you and charge resisting arrest. If they say you are being detained do not answer any questions - use your right to remain silent!

Officers are under cover amongst the crowd at both Coachella and Stagecoach. They can be standing next to you while you enjoy a show. If you are 21 or older, do not give alcohol to a minor. If an undercover officer sees someone without a bracelet drink out of someone else’s alcoholic beverage, they will approach and question you. If this is the case, ask if you are being detained. If the answer is no, then you should leave without running away. If they are detaining you, do not answer any of their questions. Say, “I am going to assert my right to remain silent.”You cannot talk yourself out of this situation, you cannot apologize and get a warning. Speaking to the cops will only make it more likely that you are arrested and prosecuted. You have a constitutional right to remain silent. Take the advice of the founding fathers and shut the fuck up.

Yes. You may record police. Generally, we recommend that another person in your group video any encounter with police and save this evidence for review by an attorney. We also recommend that you turn on audio recording with your own phone given the ambient noise levels at the festivals. It is best if you do not video police yourself during the encounter. Pointing a camera at them will trigger an aggressive response, and if they are recorded police may make a flimsy excuse to seize your phone as “evidence”. As of 2024, undercover officers at the festivals were not using any audio or video recording devices. Your recording of the encounter will be the only reliable record.

You will be arrested and handcuffed, then transported by golf cart to “Festival Jail”, which is a tent where police take arrestees for processing. Never answer any of their questions, except your name and identifying information. Officers will photograph you and any alcohol or fake ID that they found on your person. Any fake ID will also be seized as evidence. Then the officers will give you a citation for a criminal case with a court date in July or August. After this is complete, you will be released back into the festival.

Every year, I hear this same thing from people, and let me tell you, it’s just not true. If you've been given a citation to appear in court after your arrest, don’t expect a letter in the mail from the DA reminding you to show up. That’s not how it works. If your case is filed and you fail to attend court, the judge won’t simply forget about it—they’ll issue a warrant for your arrest. So, make no mistake, the responsibility is on you to be there. You can check Riverside County Superior court records before the court date to verify that you are on the court’s calendar.

In my experience over the past several years, I would estimate that more than 95% of the arrests at Coachella and Stagecoach result in a criminal case being filed. As for the cases that don’t make it to court, I haven’t noticed any consistent pattern. My guess is that most of these cases likely aren’t filed because of some sort of clerical mistake or oversight.If you want to check the status of your case, you can contact the Riverside County District Attorney's office in Indio, or you can search your own name on the Riverside County Superior Court website.

If you’ve hired an attorney, you’re not required to be present at your court date (Penal Code §977). Your attorney will handle all appearances on your behalf. However, if you don’t have an attorney, you must show up in court. If you fail to attend, the judge will issue a warrant for your arrest.

In cases like these, most people end up entering diversion. However, if there’s a valid defense—like an unlawful search or lack of evidence—it’s a good idea to consider hiring an attorney. If you’re from out of state or out of the country, navigating the legal process without an attorney can be tricky, so having one on your side is crucial.If you hold a professional license, you should approach your case with extra caution and consider any potential defenses more carefully. Another factor to think about is travel—if you have to travel a long distance to attend court, hiring an attorney could actually be more cost-effective. Your attorney can appear on your behalf, saving you the time, hassle, and expense of making the trip.If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you absolutely need to hire an attorney.For those living in Southern California, I often suggest handling the case yourself to save on attorney fees. Of course, you’re always welcome to call my office to discuss your specific situation and decide together if hiring an attorney is the best choice for you.

No. However, it will show up on background checks.

If you fail to appear for your court date or have an attorney appear on your behalf, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. However, you will not be extradited to the U.S. to face charges. That said, it’s important to understand that a warrant could make it difficult for you to enter the U.S. in the future.
In short, if you live outside the U.S. and have no intention of ever returning, the consequences of not appearing in court are likely minimal in your home country. But, be aware of the potential impact on future travel to the U.S. if you ever change your mind.