Being arrested is never a pleasant experience, especially when the arrest happens outside of your home state. When arrested, no matter if you’re in your home state or out of state, you likely have to post bail and appear in court. 

According to Criminal Defense Lawyer, states have jurisdiction, meaning the power to prosecute. So, if you live in Georgia, but visit Florida and are charged with a crime there, your case will be prosecuted in Florida. However, if you have an arrest warrant from another state and get pulled over by a police officer in Florida and they see that warrant, they can arrest you in Florida but your case will be prosecuted in the State that issued the warrant. 

For misdemeanors, such as simple assault, shoplifting, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and other low-level offenses, a Florida attorney is needed. The attorney can handle the case without needing the defendant to appear in person, except for instances of sentencing.  For felonies, such as murder, rape, burglary, kidnapping, and arson, the defendant will generally be expected to be present at court for all the required court dates. Failure to appear could mean severe legal and financial consequences.

No matter where you are charged with a crime, you should always talk to a criminal defense attorney. If you are charged in Florida, contact an attorney in Florida as they are licensed to practice in that state. If you do not take care of the charges, a warrant can be issued for your arrest, leading to more legal trouble. 

An arrest warrant can make it difficult to pass a background check, travel, or get a job, so it is best to take care of charges when they happen and to have an attorney on your side. A local criminal defense attorney can explain the charges to you, set expectations, and may be able to appear in court on your behalf.

If you are arrested in Florida, call Attorney Brandon Gans. His experience as both a Deputy Sheriff and a State Prosecutor provides a unique advantage in defending criminal cases. Brandon has a working knowledge of police procedures and knows what the government requires to build their criminal cases. As a criminal defense attorney, Brandon is able to put his knowledge and skills into action to obtain the best possible results for his clients.