Each year, thousands visit Savannah for our wonderful weather, friendly people, and nightlife beyond compare. Unfortunately, many tourists are arrested and get an unexpected tour of the jail, or as we jokingly call it “The Chatham Inn.”

In all seriousness, facing charges in a completely different state from your own can be daunting.

But, local criminal defense attorneys can research the circumstances surrounding the case on your behalf, talk to the police, determine the possibility of a plea deal, and handle interviewing witnesses.

 

Facing Criminal Charges in Another State

Navigating any criminal justice system can be complex, even more so if you are from out of state. You may have to appear in court and post bail. In addition, if you are charged with a crime in another state, you will be subject to that state’s jurisdiction and laws.

Every state has its own set of laws that will apply to your criminal case as well. Familiarizing yourself with that state’s criminal procedure can be helpful to your case, as well as hiring a local defense lawyer experienced with criminal cases.

Can You Leave the State With Pending Felony Charges?

If you are held in jail pending trial, you will be entitled to a bail hearing and a defense attorney if you can’t afford one. Whether you’ll be able to leave the state that has charged you with a felony crime depends on different factors. For example, the judge can release you on bail pending trial. But that can include certain conditions, such as not leaving that state.

Even if you are able to leave the state, that doesn’t mean you should. It also doesn’t mean you’ll avoid prosecution if you leave the state.

Bear in mind that the judge can set higher bail for an out-of-state individual. And if that individual posts bail and leaves that state, the judge can issue a warrant for their arrest. In other words, police in your state can extradite you to the state that has issued an arrest warrant against you.

On the other hand, if you are facing a misdemeanor charge, the defendant may have the option to be represented by an attorney. They can appear before the judge instead of the defendant and handle the entire case. Even if you are charged with an infraction, you may want to consult with a local lawyer. In some states, simply paying fines can be considered a guilty plea, which may have further implications.

How Can We Help?

If you are from another state but facing charges in Savannah, Georgia, it can be beneficial to hire a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer located in the area to help you navigate the criminal investigation and your case.

Attorney Stacey M. Goad frequently represents nice people in bad circumstances such as these. Give us a call today. She’ll tell you exactly how we can help you avoid some of the inconveniences related to facing charges a long way from home.