Pride in Old Village Plymouth: Your Rights If You're Stopped, Searched, or Cited at a Public Event

Pride in Old Village Plymouth has grown into one of the most attended community events in Western Wayne County, drawing thousands of people to the historic Old Village neighborhood with music, food, vendors, and family-friendly programming. Like any large outdoor event, it also draws law enforcement presence — and with that comes the possibility of police contact, searches, and citations.

If you live in Plymouth or are coming in for Pride, here is a practical guide to your rights at public events under Michigan law.

What Officers Can and Cannot Do at a Public Event

At a public event in Michigan, officers can:

• Approach you and ask questions (you are not required to answer beyond identifying yourself when there is reasonable suspicion).
• Issue citations for ordinance violations they personally observe.
• Detain you briefly if they have reasonable, articulable suspicion that you are involved in criminal activity.
• Arrest you if they develop probable cause to believe you have committed a crime.
• Search your person incident to a lawful arrest.

Officers generally cannot:

• Search your bag, phone, vehicle, or person without consent, a warrant, or a legally recognized exception.
• Detain you indefinitely without articulable reason.
• Demand you unlock your phone without a warrant in most circumstances.
• Punish you for declining to consent to a search.

Recording Police

You have a constitutional right to record police activity in public spaces, including at public events. Officers cannot lawfully order you to stop recording or delete recordings — though they can ask you to step back if you are interfering with their work. Discretion matters: live-streaming a confrontation often escalates a situation that might otherwise have ended without arrest.

Common Charges at Public Events

Disorderly Conduct (MCL 750.167)

A 90-day misdemeanor covering public intoxication, fighting, indecent or obscene conduct, jostling people, or refusing to disperse on lawful police command. Disorderly conduct is the most commonly charged offense at large gatherings because it is broad and discretionary.

Public Consumption of Alcohol

Plymouth has local ordinances prohibiting drinking alcohol on public sidewalks and in Kellogg Park outside of designated areas or licensed premises. The same applies in most of Old Village. Violations are typically ordinance citations with fines.

Public Marijuana Use (MCL 333.27954)

Marijuana use in public places is prohibited statewide. A first-offense civil infraction carries a fine of up to $100. Smoking marijuana in your parked car can support an OWI investigation if you then drive.

Resisting and Obstructing (MCL 750.81d)

Pulling away from an officer, refusing to identify yourself when required, or any physical contact during an arrest can be charged as resisting and obstructing — a two-year felony. This charge often escalates situations that would otherwise have been minor misdemeanors.

Assault and Battery (MCL 750.81)

A 93-day misdemeanor that can arise from pushing matches, fights, or even unwanted touching in a crowd.

Civil Rights Considerations

At Pride and similar events, civil rights questions sometimes arise around discriminatory policing, harassment from non-police actors, or assault motivated by bias. Michigan does have hate crime enhancement provisions under MCL 750.147b (Ethnic Intimidation), which is a two-year felony when assault, threat, or property damage is motivated by race, color, religion, gender, or national origin. Sexual orientation is not currently named in the state's hate crime statute, though federal law and various local ordinances provide separate protections.

If You're Stopped or Detained

• Stay calm. Keep your hands visible.
• Ask: “Am I free to leave?” If the officer says yes, walk away calmly. If no, you are being detained.
• You have the right to remain silent. You can say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent and I want a lawyer.”
• Do not consent to searches.
• Do not run, struggle, or use physical force, even if you believe the stop is wrongful.
• If arrested, do not give explanations or apologies. Ask for a lawyer and wait.

Where Plymouth Cases Are Heard

Cases arising from Pride in Old Village and other events in the City of Plymouth go to the 35th District Court. Arraignments are typically within days of the event.

If You Were Wrongfully Arrested or Searched

Beyond the criminal defense, you may have civil claims under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 1983) for unlawful arrest, excessive force, or unlawful search. These are separate from the criminal case, but they often start with documentation gathered during the criminal proceeding.

Documenting What Happened

• Save photos, videos, and witness contact information.
• Write down everything you remember about the encounter as soon as possible.
• Identify the officers if possible (badge numbers, names, agency).
• Note exactly where and when the contact occurred.
• Save medical records if you were injured.

Standing Up for Your Rights

If you were cited, searched, or arrested at Pride in Old Village or another Plymouth public event — particularly if you believe the contact was wrongful — attorney Aaron J. Boria can help you understand your options on both the criminal and civil side. Reach Boria Law at (734) 453-7806 for a confidential consultation.