Fights, Booze, and Bad Decisions: What Happens When You’re Charged at the Calgary Stampede.
Ah, the Calgary Stampede. Where the drinks are strong, the nights are long, and somebody always ends up in handcuffs.
Look, we’re not judging — we’ve all seen how a night of partying can go sideways. Whether it’s a fight outside Cowboys, a little too much public rowdiness, or that one friend who can’t keep their mouth shut around the cops (you know who you are), the reality is: criminal charges during Stampede are more common than you think.
Here’s what you need to know if you—or your buddy—got into trouble this Stampede season.
1. Assault Charges Can Happen Fast
Most of the assault files we see during Stampede didn’t start out violent. It’s often a shouting match that escalates. Maybe someone bumped into someone. Maybe it was the beer. Maybe it was the boots.
Next thing you know, someone’s calling 911 and now you're facing an assault charge.
Even if you think it was just a scrap or “mutual,” the law may not see it that way. And trust us, getting charged with assault isn’t just a slap on the wrist — it can come with serious consequences, especially if there’s injury or weapons involved (yes, cowboy boots and belts count in some cases).
2. Public Intoxication and Mischief Are Real Charges
Passed out on a bench downtown? Got kicked out of Nashville North and decided to cause a scene? That can land you a charge for causing a disturbance, public intoxication, or mischief.
And yes — peeing in an alley, smashing a phone, flipping tables, yelling at cops... they’re all common stories we hear during Stampede. And all things you can be criminally charged for.
3. The “Morning After” Panic Is Real
Waking up and realizing you spent the night in a cell is rough. So is getting a release form saying you have a court date and conditions like “no alcohol” or “don’t go back to the Stampede Grounds.”
We get it — you’re overwhelmed, maybe embarrassed, and probably have no idea what to do next.
Good news: you don’t have to deal with it alone. Ryan’s been doing this for over 15 years, and he’s defended thousands of cases across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC. We’ve seen it all — from bar fights to rodeo rowdiness — and we know how to handle it.
4. Call Us Before You Do Something Dumb
We say that with love. But seriously — don’t just ignore the charge and hope it disappears. And don’t try to “explain” things to police or the courts before speaking to a lawyer. That rarely helps. In fact, it usually makes it worse.
Need Help? We’ve Got Your Back.
At Patmore Defence, we’re not here to judge — we’re here to help you through the mess and work toward the best possible outcome. Whether you're a first-timer or just got caught up in the chaos of Stampede, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Call us anytime. We’re 24/7, we offer free consultations, and yes — we actually answer the phone.
📞 Ryan Patmore Criminal Defence – 403-909=4822
🌐 www.patmoredefence.com