Criminal Defense
Since 1993
Since 1993
Denied Entry for a 30-Year-Old Joint? The Story of the Super Bowl Ban
By: John Guidry
Do you know how hard it is to get into a communist country like North Korea? Or the former Soviet Union during the Cold War? Or getting into Cuba (as an American)?
I traveled to Germany back in the late eighties when there was still an “East Germany.” I couldn’t get in. You should have seen the soldiers with big AK-47s patrolling “the wall.” It was scary.
But this isn’t a story about the Iron Curtain. This is the story of the United States government being a big bully. This is the story of a government that refuses tourist dollars for no good reason.
Is an old arrest haunting your travel plans?
Don’t let a decades-old mistake ruin your life. Call John today at (407) 423-1117.
The Fantasy Football Nightmare
We begin with fantasy football. Four million fans competed this season for Bud Light’s top prize: a trip to the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Guess who won? A northern brother from Canada named Myles Wilkenson. Can you imagine the excitement? He packed his bags and headed to the airport. Unfortunately, the United States government didn’t let him in.
Why? Was he on a “no-fly list”? Was he a terrorist? No. It was Weed.
Now, I have had clients caught trafficking a tractor-trailer full of weed. If you are that person, I understand why a country wouldn’t want you visiting. But Mr. Wilkenson was not that guy.
- The Charge: Possession of Marijuana.
- The Date: 1981 (More than 30 years ago!).
- The Amount: Two grams.
- The Penalty: A $50 fine.
That’s it. But our government denied him entry. Sorry, New Orleans, we know you need the money, but apparently, anyone who paid a $50 fine in the disco era is not of “good moral character.”
The “Sir Paul” Double Standard
To be fair to Uncle Sam, maybe Canada would have done the same to us. But let’s play the “Would You Admit This Guy?” game.
Say someone gets caught with:
- Half a pound of weed in a Tokyo airport.
- Weed in Sweden.
- Weed in Scotland.
Would you deny Sir Paul McCartney entry into your country? Even with a “Sir” before his name? Hasn’t Sir Paul been allowed into the U.S. since these arrests?
Person Number 2: Arrested and fined for weed in London (more serious than Mr. Wilkenson’s case). Are you telling me we wouldn’t let Bob Marley in the country?
The double standard is real. Celebrities get a pass; regular folks get turned away at the border.
John’s Takeaways: Clean Your Record
I will stop government bashing for one minute to preach a little individual responsibility.
Why don’t people expunge or seal their records?
It is simple, and compared to losing a Super Bowl trip, it is cheap. While I don’t know Canadian law, I know Florida law. If you have a “stupid” charge from years ago, it is sitting in a database waiting to ruin your next vacation or job interview.
- Sealing: Hides the record from the public (and most background checks).
- Expunging: Physically destroys the record (with some exceptions).
If you have a charge that was dropped, dismissed, or where adjudication was withheld, you might be eligible to make it disappear.
Future Dream Vacations Depend on It
Do not wait until you are at the airport to find out your record is a problem. If you aren’t sure whether you want to seal or expunge an old charge, let this be your lesson. Do it.
Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s clear the path for your future.
About John Guidry II
John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.
Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.
Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.
When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.