Typically, a warrant for an out-of-state felony arrest allows law authorities to make an arrest in California. The police may even collaborate with officers in California to find you and facilitate the arrest, depending on the nature of the felony offense. You might be extradited back to the state that issued the warrant after an arrest, depending on the specifics of the case.
Read on to learn more. If you suspect you have a felony warrant out for your arrest in another state, contact a California criminal defense attorney to find out what your options are. You can reach Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.
You Can Also Be Arrested for Out of State Misdemeanor Warrants in California
You should be aware that if you have an out-of-state warrant for a misdemeanor, police can arrest you in California just like they would with felony warrants. Yet, in these situations, law enforcement usually won’t try to extradite you. But you might encounter jail time or a fine.
Being Arrested for an Out of State Felony Warrant
In some felony situations, people may be subject to out-of-state arrest warrants. In certain circumstances, a police officer in the state where you are located may arrest you for an offense committed outside of that state, according to the criminal laws of most jurisdictions.
Keep in mind that an arrest warrant normally gives law enforcement officials the power to detain someone anywhere, including in multiple states. Additionally, law enforcement authorities in the state that issued the felony warrant may work with officers in another state to make an arrest in serious felony cases (such as murder or rape charges).
The Extradition Process
If you are detained in another state, the detaining officials may start an extradition procedure to have you returned to the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued. A person accused or found guilty of a minor or felony offense is turned over by one state to another one under a legal process known as extradition.
There are numerous state and federal laws that apply to the extradition procedure. For instance, several jurisdictions stipulate that you have the right to a hearing before extradition occurs so that you can object to the procedure.
You won’t likely be extradited, though, if you are only wanted for misdemeanor-related warrants or criminal charges. This is primarily a result of the facts that misdemeanors are less serious than felonies and have less harsh punishments. California may fine you instead of extraditing you, or a judge may sentence you to jail.
If you are in California and have a warrant out for your arrest, no matter what state the warrant was issued in, you should contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.
