What happens if you commit a crime in another state

The process of sending you back to the state that issued the arrest warrant is known as extradition. Depending on the crime you committed, you may be forced to go back to the original state to face your charges.

It can be an expensive process so it is generally only used for serious crimes like trafficking, drug charges , or violent offenses. In general, the state will hold a hearing that proves you are the person in the warrant. The arresting officer must tell you why they are taking you into custody and why you are being detained if you are caught in Indiana with an arrest warrant in another state.

The hearing will be held where you can respond to the warrant. You can waive the extradition process and wait 30 days, usually in jail, to see if the original state will pay for your extradition. It is always advisable to seek counsel in these circumstances.

If you have been accused of a minor crime, they can usually help you fight the charges and avoid the extradition process. For more serious crimes, they can walk you through the extradition process and let you know if it is in your best interest to waive the process or not. Despite what you may have heard or seen on TV; an arrest warrant is not limited to a state line.

The man then fled back to his home state; and the governor of Puerto Rico requested that Iowa return the fugitive, asking an Iowa federal court to enforce the Extradition Clause.

The governor refused, and his decision was backed by the district court in Iowa, as well as the Circuit Court of Appeals. They cited the precedent set in Kentucky. The Supreme Court reversed, however, holding the decision in Kentucky to be outdated and no longer applicable. Iowa had to return the man to Puerto Rico. However, if a government agency is involved in investigating a crime, such as the DEA with large drug dealers, the charges you get arrested on can also be federal charges.

There are times when a case can be taken over by federal agents and elevated to a federal crime because they have a special interest in it. This can happen when your crime is part of some bigger investigation. It sounds like something out of some cop drama TV show, but it can happen. First, if convicted, you will be sent to a federal prison rather than a state prison. The major downside to this is federal facilities are usually far away from your family and friends, making it very isolating.

However, the second thing to consider is that federal cases typically have harsher penalties. If your case has become a federal one, your best option is to find a lawyer that is skilled in federal law to defend you. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Market Your Law Firm. Lawyer Directory.

Call us at 1 Dealing with an Out of State Criminal Charge. Jurisdiction States have jurisdiction the power to prosecute any crime that occurs within that state. Local Counsel and Court Appearances For misdemeanors in most states, crimes punishable by up to one year in jail , most states will allow a local attorney hired by an out-of-state defendant to handle the case. Posting Bail For felonies crimes punishable by incarceration in state prison , most courts will require an out-of-state defendant to post bail — which can be quite expensive.

Warrants and Extradition If an arrest warrant has been issued, a person can be extradited transported to a state to face criminal charges. Obtaining Legal Assistance You should always talk to a criminal defense attorney if you are charged with or being investigated for any crime, but if you are charged with a crime in another state it is imperative that you talk to an attorney who practices in that state.

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