Avoiding Arrest at the Indy 500

click for a free consultation

How to Avoid Arrest at the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the greatest sporting events in the world on any regular year, but this year will be bigger than ever.  It is the 100th anniversary of the greatest spectacle in racing.  It is the first time in many, many years that the 500 will be sold out!  What does that mean?  Well, it likely means that the approximate average arrests of 200 people will be a lot higher this year.  So in this blog, we are going to take a lighter side look at how to avoid getting arrested at the 500.

  1. Don’t act a fool!    This should go without saying, but most people that get arrested at the 500 get arrested because they are acting like a fool.  Think about this.  There are literally hundreds of thousands of people at this even a huge portion of which are going to be ingesting some sort of intoxicating substance.  To be one of the 200 or so that gets arrested you must be acting like a fool.  This theme will repeat itself throughout this blog but don’t be the big sore thumb that sticks out and the police will leave you alone.  Get drunk, dance, party it up…. Just don’t act a fool!
  2. If you are going to get drunk, don’t drive! There is Uber, Lyft, Yellow Cab, you can camp at the 500, or there is the good old-fashioned sober driver (I know, not it!).  Anyway you go about it, one of the most dangerous things you can do after partying hard at the 500 is to jump right behind the wheel.  Traffic is going to be absolutely crazy with the crowd expected for this year, driving drunk is just not worth it.  Additionally, if you are arrested for drunk driving, then you face spending the night in jail, a lengthy license suspension and probation.  It’s just not worth it.  Find another way to get home or spend the night.
  3. If you’re a minor, either don’t go or stay sober when you do go. We’ve all been there, I’ve gone to the race when I was in college but not yet 21.  It’s hiding our head in the sand to think minors at the race don’t drink.  But, you know those 200 arrests that were mentioned earlier, the largest number of those were for minor consumption handed out by excise police.  Two things that are different about the excise police.  One, they are actually actively looking for people to arrest.  Most of the officers at the race will only arrest you if you are acting obnoxious.  Not the excise police, if you are under age they are out there looking for you.  Second, they don’t look like officers.  The excise police dress in plain clothes and many times are young and can blend right in with the minors that are there drinking.  If you’re a minor at the race, think twice about drinking, you might end up with a minor consumption and/or possession of alcohol.
  4. Keep your clothes on! This falls squarely under the general rule of don’t act a fool.  However, it is worth noting in its own category.  Now, don’t get me wrong, us guys don’t mind when you ladies decide to flip your shirts up, but it very well may cause you to end up in court.  One of the top arrests at the race is for indecent exposure or public nudity.  Party hardy, dance until your heart is content, drink until you can’t drink anymore, but just keep your clothes on!  Think we are party poopers?  Go ahead, take your chances, likely results:  one night in jail, a misdemeanor and a fine.  Not the end of the world, but public nudity may not be the best conviction to have when you’re applying for a job.  (unless of course that job involves dancing on a pole J).
  5. Last but not least, consider keeping your marijuana at home. Again, I know the whole party pooper thing.  If you can’t pass on your pot, then read here for the possible consequences.  However, in case you haven’t noticed, this is the one thing that is for sure illegal that the police can smell from a few blocks away.  Yes, if your traveling to our fine state from Oregon, California or Colorado, the good old state of Indiana still will come after you for your marijuana.  If you have it and you smoke it at the race, decent chance you could end up in court.  Better plan, stick to the beer, vodka, Johnny, Jack or Jim.

Whatever your plan is for race day, the Attorneys and staff at Banks & Brower hope you stay safe, stay out of trouble and enjoy the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.  However, if you do get in some trouble, give us a call 24 hours a day at (317) 870-0019 and we will help you with your race day arrests.