When you are charged with a crime in a state and an arrest warrant is issued, it is possible that you might be arrested in another state. At that point you are called a fugitive, because you were arrested in a state other than the one in which the warrant was issued. This is frequently an unfair characterization, as you may not have any idea that the warrant exists, much less any intent to flee. Nonetheless, fugitives are sometimes treated more harshly than others that are arrested on a warrant, as they are less likely to receive bond and may have to wait in jail during the extradition process.
I can get arrested fugitives out on bail in many cases, but the best time to deal with a fugitive warrant is right now, before an arrest occurs. That way, the extradition process and the jail stay that can go with it will never begin. The extradition process itself often results in multiple days in jail even if the charges are relatively minor and would not otherwise result in jail time. I can get these warrants recalled in many cases. Call me at (301) 556-8709 today so that we can stop the extradition process before it starts.
Arrests in Other States on Fugitive Warrants from Maryland
A fugitive warrant is an arrest warrant from another state. It is often listed as “Fugitive from Justice” in Maryland. In a fugitive case where the warrant originates in another state and you are arrested in Maryland, commissioners and judges may presume that you would flee if released on bond. This is untrue in many cases, and it is also unfair because the people held on fugitive warrants will often be granted bond after they are transported back to the jurisdiction that originated the warrant. Someone arrested in Maryland on a fugitive warrant from another state can be released on bond while they are still being held in Maryland as a fugitive, though it is more difficult. This is also frequently the case in other states as well. It might be very difficult to free the person through legal action in the other state before they arrive back in Maryland, depending on the jurisdiction. However, once the person is picked up from the out of state jail and transported back to Maryland, I can usually get them out of jail on bond, and there are also things that I can do in Maryland while they are held in the other state that may result in their release.
If your loved one is held on a warrant stemming from charges in Maryland, I can help you and your loved ones figure out what the charges are, prepare a defense, and get your loved one out of jail on bond at a bail hearing here in Maryland. Depending on the case, I might also be able to get the warrant recalled here which should result in your loved one’s release in the other state. I have helped many other people handle these issues, and I can help you too. Call me at (301) 556-8709 today so that we can lay the groundwork to get your loved one out of jail.
Arrests in Maryland on Fugitive Warrants from Other States
When you are arrested on a fugitive warrant from another state in Maryland, you are brought before a commissioner, and then brought in front of a judge a business day later. At that hearing, you can decide to waive extradition or not. This is an important decision that can have serious consequences. You are not allowed to dispute whether you are guilty at an extradition hearing, but you can dispute whether you are or are not the person that they are trying to extradite, and certain other technical issues.
Will I be Extradited to Maryland for a Misdemeanor or Violation of Probation?
Extradition can potentially occur on any kind of warrant, felony or misdemeanor, whether or not a violation of probation is involved. Whether a warrant is actually extraditable is heavily influenced by the charges on which the warrant is based, but it can also be influenced by the distance between the arresting jurisdiction and the place that the warrant was issued, the record of the offender, and by other factors on a case by case basis. Many warrants state directly on them a distance or region where they are and are not extraditable. The reason for this is that it is expensive for the extraditing jurisdiction to transport a person back to the originating county of the bench warrant or arrest warrant. As the distance increases, so does the expense. As a general rule, the more serious the offense, the more likely you are to be extradited. The best way to deal with the potential for extradition is to have me handle the case in Maryland before you come in contact with the police in another state.
Waiver of an Extradition Hearing
If you waive extradition in Maryland, you will not be eligible for bond for at least ten days, and you will wait in jail until an officer from the other state comes to pick you up, which can easily result in you waiting multiple weeks in jail if the other jurisdiction is far away. This is also the case in many other states. Jurisdictions from next door will usually transfer you to their jails rather quickly. In some cases, if you do not contest extradition and the particular county that you are to be extradited to is very close to where you are arrested, the police officer that arrested you may just take you over there directly rather than taking you to the local jail. This sometimes happens between counties in the D.C. Metropolitan Area because Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia are so close to each other.
If you do not waive extradition you can contest the other state’s right to extradite you. I also may be able to secure your release while you are waiting for the extradition hearing in Maryland to be held.
If you or a loved one is being held on a fugitive warrant in Maryland, or as a fugitive from Maryland, call me at (301) 556-8709 today so that I can start working on getting you or your loved one out of jail.
