Burners & The Law

On your way in...

Be mindful of your speed on the way to the Burn. Make sure all your paperwork is in order and vehicle is up to par. Law enforcement will be present and will be looking for reasons to pull you over

• Make sure your plate is visible! This is one of the easiest excuses to pull you over. If you've got bikes on the back of your car, take off your license plate and attach it on the outside of the bikes

• Drive carefully--don't speed, always use your signals, make sure your license plate light and all other lights are working.

• Don't smoke weed in the car on the way there, or ever have anything illegal in plain sight or easily findable

• Don't drink alcohol in the car, even if you aren't driving.

• Don't pee on the side of the road.

If you are stopped by Johnnie Officer, be polite but firm and to the point. Provide your insurance, registration and license. Do not consent to a search under any circumstances. If they have the right to search you, you'll already be out of the car and in cuffs. If they are asking, it's because they can't already search you. It is okay for the passenger to film the interaction.

Ask if you are free to leave. If you are, don't say another word and slowly drive away. If they say no, tell them that you are asserting your right to remain silent and that you would like a lawyer present.

While you're here...

Be extremely wary of people that you don't know that ask you for drugs. They could be undercover. Either way it's not cool to ask strangers for drugs and it's fine to tell people that. I usually say "drugs, what are those?" It happens more often than you think.

Don't serve alcohol to minors. How do you know if they are minors? Ask for their ID. If they don't have one, don't give them alcohol.

Your medical marijuana card is not valid in Nevada.

Pee in the port-a-potties, not on the playa. Public urination is one of the easiest ways to wind up getting searched by the police.

If you encounter the police, follow the same rules as if you were in a vehicle. Be polite, but don't engage in conversation or answer questions. Don't consent to a search. Ask if you are free to leave, etc.

Courts have held that a tent zippered and shut most closely resembles a house or domicile. That means that the police most likely need a warrant in order to search your tent -- if they say otherwise ... again say that you want a lawyer present and do not consent!