Were You Arrested at State Farm Stadium During or After a Cardinals Game or Concert?

State Farm Stadium hosts some of the biggest events in the Phoenix area, from Arizona Cardinals home games to major concert tours and festivals. These events bring tens of thousands of fans, tight security, and a strong police presence both inside the stadium and in the surrounding areas.

If you were arrested at or after a stadium event, you’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of people face charges tied to tailgating, alcohol, crowd incidents, and traffic stops as they leave.

These events are inherently chaotic, which poses unique challenges to law enforcement that can make prosecutions more difficult. Event arrests are frequently not open-and-shut cases, which is why it’s likely in your best interest to speak to a defense attorney before accepting any plea.

Arrests Are Common at Stadium Events

Big crowds, alcohol, and long hours outdoors create a predictable mix of enforcement activity. Law enforcement agencies, including Glendale PD, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and even undercover units, routinely ramp up their presence on game days and concert nights. Officers patrol tailgate zones, watch for fights or disorderly conduct inside the venue, and conduct DUI enforcement around Loop 101 and the nearby arterials.

Arrests often happen after the event ends in the parking lot, on nearby sidewalks, or during traffic stops just minutes from the stadium.

Charges Commonly Filed After Cardinals Games and Concerts

• DUI / Extreme DUI: Drivers pulled over after leaving the stadium often face impaired driving charges, especially when checkpoints or saturation patrols are active.
• Disorderly Conduct: Arguments, public shouting matches, or crowd disruptions can result in citations, even if no one was injured.
• Assault / Assault on a Peace Officer: Pushing, shoving, or physical contact, especially with security or police, can escalate into serious charges.
• Public Urination: Often charged as public indecency or criminal nuisance. While it’s rarely prosecuted as a sex offense, the charge can still carry lasting consequences.
• Resisting Arrest: Even pulling away from an officer or not complying quickly enough can result in an added charge, especially in tense crowd situations.
• Public Intoxication: Arizona doesn’t have a standalone public intoxication statute, but alcohol-related behavior often appears in conjunction with other charges.

What Happens If You Plead Guilty?

Many people arrested in these situations are encouraged to plead out quickly, often before understanding the long-term consequences. This may seem like the easiest path, but it can lead to:

• Fines and court fees
• Jail time, especially for DUI, resisting arrest, or assault
• Probation, mandatory classes (like alcohol treatment or anger management), or community service
• A permanent criminal record that may affect employment, background checks, or professional licensing

Once you plead guilty, your options to challenge the case are limited. In some cases, a defense attorney can negotiate a diversion program or reduction in charges that avoids a conviction altogether. Speaking with a criminal defense lawyer before your first court appearance can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Legal Defenses for Stadium-Related Charges

Crowd-based arrests are chaotic by nature. Misunderstandings are common, especially when police are working quickly in dense areas with high noise and poor visibility. A skilled criminal defense attorney will evaluate the specific facts of your case and look for key weaknesses, such as:

• Mistaken identity in a crowd fight or public disruption
• Lack of intent to resist arrest or commit assault
• Self-defense when you were provoked or attempting to de-escalate
• Unlawful search or seizure, particularly in post-event traffic stops
• Police overreaction, including excessive force or false claims made during chaotic enforcement

Surveillance footage, officer body camera video, third-party cell phone clips, and conflicting witness statements often play a role in these cases. What appears to be “open and shut” can fall apart under closer scrutiny.

Why Calling a Criminal Defense Attorney in Phoenix Before You Plead Can Be a Good Idea

How stadium arrest cases are presented in court can influence the case’s outcome.

Prosecutors often treat these cases as routine, expecting the defendant to plead guilty without a fight. Having an experienced attorney representing you changes the calculation.

The reality is that many of these arrests occur in high-pressure, high-visibility environments where officer error, crowd confusion, and overcharging are common.

Michael Alarid III is a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist based in Phoenix. He understands how prosecutors handle stadium-related cases and how to challenge weak charges based on shaky crowd enforcement or overbroad arrest reports.

Whether you’re facing a DUI, disorderly conduct, assault, or resisting arrest charge tied to an event at State Farm Stadium, getting legal counsel before you make a plea can protect your future.

If you were arrested during or after a Cardinals game or concert, contact the Law Office of Michael Alarid III today at (602) 818-3110 or schedule a case evaluation online.