What Drinking and Mardi Gras Mean to You When You Come to New Orleans
Mardi Gras 2014 is going to be very exciting. While Mardi Gras Day is Tuesday, March 4, 2014, the season began on January 6, 2014 with 12th Night. Not only will it be one of the most festive times of year in New Orleans, but it will be very close to college spring break and the weather will be warmer! And, Krewe du Vieux will step out on to the streets of the French Quarter on Saturday, February 15, 2014. The Big Easy boasts one of the largest Carnival festivals in the entire world where millions of people flock to our city year after year for the parades and the party. As a practiced criminal defense lawyer, I have seen the party…and the aftermath. Why is New Orleans the perfect city for such a big party? The city of New Orleans does not have an alcohol open-container law, which allows Mardi Gras visitors to drink in the street and have the time of their life!
Drinking in New Orleans for Mardi Gras is For 21+
Although there is no Open Container law in the city of New Orleans, per se, there are still laws that control alcohol consumption. They are especially important to know and remember when you are visiting for our Mardi Gras celebrations. When you come to stay in New Orleans, you are still required to be 21 years old to drink…anywhere. Whether it is on the streets, in a bar, or your hotel room, you cannot legally drink an alcoholic drink unless you are at least 21 years old. So, if you are planning to come visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras before you turn 21, you should not drink alcohol while you are here. If you or any of your friends is arrested at Mardi Gras while you are visiting the city because you were caught drinking underage, you should call a New Orleans criminal defense lawyer to help you through this potentially scary time of your life.
Be a Responsible Adult While Playing in the Big Easy
The best part about New Orleans is that the city encourages you to party (safely)! But, you must remember that you are an adult, and there are laws to follow. If you are drinking, you must remember that although there is no open container law, you must drink out of a plastic cup or aluminum can. Under no circumstances are you allowed to drink out of glass containers. This is for the safety of you and those around you. The NOPD will stop you if you are drinking from a glass container in New Orleans at Mardi Gras. If you are cited for drinking alcohol in a glass bottle, you should consider calling a trusted criminal lawyer from New Orleans that knows the laws and can defend you in order to keep your record as clean as possible. Visiting New Orleans can be overwhelming and while you’re partying, you may forget your bearings. Always have a buddy with you. Never go anywhere that looks unsafe. Don’t listen to strangers about where the best party might be. Stick to lit streets. And, always, always, pay for services you use…whether it’s your cab driver, your waiter, your bartender or pedicab driver, or anyone else that gives you a bill. Failure to do so during Mardi Gras this year will land you in Orleans Parish Prison.
If you’re looking for more information about what to expect during Mardi Gras 2014 in New Orleans, I’ve written many articles about Mardi Gras over the past few years which can be found on my blog. Additionally, if you or a friend has been arrested while in New Orleans for Mardi Gras (or any other event), please follow this link to learn about my services.
Calling An Experienced New Orleans Defense Lawyer
If you are visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras and find yourself or one of your friends in a bind with law enforcement, calling a lawyer that has experience in New Orleans crimes will not only be beneficial to your time in New Orleans, but you will most likely (depending on the alleged crime) not have to return to New Orleans to appear in court. If you are arrested during Mardi Gras, you want to tell the law enforcement that you want to speak to your lawyer. If you are taken to Central Lockup, you can use your phone call to call a lawyer, friend or family member. If you or someone you know is cited, arrested or booked for a crime during or after Mardi Gras, please don’t hesitate to contact me by phone at (504) 264-9492 or toll free at (866) 459-4478.
