Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer | Broadway Pedal Tavern and Party Bus Arrests
Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer & Former Prosecutor Kevin Kennedy. 615-205-7311. Call or text for a free consultation.
Nashville's Party Vehicles Have Their Own Rules
Pedal taverns, party buses, entertainment transportation vehicles, and other forms of Nashville 'transportainment' are part of the downtown nightlife scene. But being on a party vehicle does not create a law-free zone.
Metro Nashville regulates pedal carriages and entertainment transportation, and alcohol possession and consumption can depend on the type of vehicle, its permits, the container, the passenger's age, and other state and local laws.
Can You Drink on a Nashville Pedal Tavern?
Metro law recognizes mobile establishments and permits that can allow qualifying customers to possess, open, and consume certain beer on a properly permitted mobile establishment. Pedal carriages are also subject to transportation-licensing rules.
Whether a particular drink is lawful depends on the vehicle and permit. A passenger should not assume that anything carried onto any party vehicle is automatically legal.
What Alcohol Rules Apply?
Nashville's rules distinguish among types of alcohol, containers, vehicles, and permits. Metro's pedal-carriage rules also prohibit operators from supplying alcohol as part of the transportation service and impose restrictions on containers and underage passengers.
State laws concerning underage possession, public intoxication, DUI, weapons, drugs, and other offenses still apply.
Can You Be Arrested After Getting Off the Pedal Tavern or Party Bus?
Yes. An officer can investigate conduct occurring before, during, or after the ride. A passenger can potentially face charges based on conduct on a sidewalk, street, bar, parking area, or other public place after leaving the vehicle.
Common issues can include public intoxication, disorderly conduct, assault, drug possession, theft, weapons allegations, or other offenses depending on what occurred.
What If a Fight Breaks Out?
A crowded party vehicle or downtown stop can create conflicting witness accounts. If an assault is alleged, the defense should identify who was involved, who started the confrontation, whether self-defense is at issue, and whether video exists.
Phones, business surveillance, vehicle cameras, social-media recordings, and witness information can become important evidence.
Can You Get a DUI After a Party Bus or Pedal Tavern?
Yes. A person who later drives a car can still be arrested for DUI based on alleged impairment. Using a party vehicle earlier in the evening does not protect someone who drives afterward.
Preserve receipts, rideshare records, video, witnesses, and other timeline evidence if a DUI arrest follows a downtown outing.
What If the Arrest Happens During a Bachelor or Bachelorette Party?
Group trips can make an arrest especially complicated because the defendant may live outside Tennessee and the witnesses may return to different states the next morning.
Obtain witness names and contact information before the group disperses, preserve videos and messages, and confirm the Davidson County court date.
What Should an Out-of-State Visitor Do?
Do not assume that leaving Nashville ends the case. A visitor may still have to address citation booking, bond conditions, court appearances, and the criminal charge.
A Nashville criminal defense lawyer can determine what appearances are required and whether any part of the case can be handled without repeated travel.
Talk With a Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer
Kevin Kennedy is a former Davidson County prosecutor who now represents Nashville residents and visitors charged with crimes arising from Broadway, downtown nightlife, and other Davidson County incidents. Kevin Kennedy Law Firm offers a free consultation.
Call Kevin Kennedy Law Firm at (615) 205-7311 for a free consultation.