Can a state charge you for something you did in another state?

Asked by: Delilah Ruecker  |  Last update: December 19, 2025
Score: 5/5 (24 votes)

If you commit a crime in another state, you are subject to that state's jurisdiction for criminal arrest and prosecution.

Can you be prosecuted in a different state?

The answer to your post title is yes. Multiple states can have concurrent jurisdiction for state crimes depending on the facts and requisite elements of both states' criminal statutes (an easy hypothetical to understand is if a resident in one state defrauds a resident of another state, both states may prosecute).

Can you press charges from another state?

To answer your question, you can report the crime in either the place where you live (as the victim) or the where the crime was commissioned (were the scammer lives).

Can you sue someone for something that happened in another state?

In practice, this means that even if the incident occurred in another state or country, a party can file a case against you in the state where you established residency or maintained a place of business. Consent: You can also consent to a court having personal jurisdiction over you.

What happens if a person commits a crime in one state but is captured in another state?

Clause 2 Interstate Extradition

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

What happens if you get a DWI in another state?

20 related questions found

Can two states charge you for the same crime?

If you are accused of committing the same crime in more than one state, you can be charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced in each of those states. The well-known “double jeopardy” rule only applies to being tried twice for the same crime in the same jurisdiction.

What states do not extradite?

Answer and Explanation: The states of Florida, Hawaii, and Alaska do not extradite for all crimes. However, even these states (along with the others) will extradite for serious crimes, such as murder.

How much does it cost to sue the police?

Filing Fees: Typically range from $400 to $600, depending on the court. Expert Witness Fees: Expert testimony is often necessary to prove police misconduct and can cost thousands of dollars. Other Expenses: Court costs, deposition fees, and document production expenses may also be incurred.

Can you sue for something that happened in the past?

Yes - as long as you are still within the statute. That will depend on your Country/state. In most cases, you have at least one year from the date of harm to file a lawsuit for personal injury or other claims, regardless of your state or the type of claim. However, statutes of limitations vary by state and claim type.

What happens if you sue someone with no money?

If the court finds the defendant responsible, they are legally required to compensate you, even if they currently lack the funds. Winning the lawsuit means the defendant owes you the amount decided by the court, which you can pursue through various legal avenues.

What happens if someone files a police report against you in another state?

Another state can issue an out-of-state warrant to extradite you to the state to face criminal charges. You may be able to have a local attorney appear on your behalf so you don't have to travel to the state.

Can you sue someone instead of pressing charges?

Pressing charges involves criminal activity and is considered to be wholly different from someone filing a civil lawsuit. “It's a separate process from criminal prosecution,” says Ryan Byers, an attorney with law firm Rammelkamp Bradney, in Illinois. “There are no 'charges pressed' in a civil matter.”

Can the state press charges without evidence?

In general, you cannot be charged without evidence, but many people take this to mean physical evidence.

How do I press charges on someone in a different state?

Lawyers call this jurisdiction. If you want to sue someone who lives in another state, you will have to sue in the state where the person lives, not in the state where you live. Often you can file papers with the court by mail, but you'll have to follow the state's rules when serving the court papers on the defendant.

Do states extradite for misdemeanors?

Misdemeanors may also qualify for extradition, but this depends on the severity of the offense and the agreement between the involved jurisdictions.

Does each state have its own criminal law?

Each state decides what conduct to designate a crime. As such, each state has its own criminal code . Congress has also chosen to punish certain conduct, codifying federal criminal law in Title 18 of the U.S. Code . Criminal laws vary significantly among the states and the federal government.

Can you be charged for something that happened years ago?

In many states, certain crimes don't have a statute of limitations, meaning the prosecutor can file these charges at any time, even if 20, 30, or more years have passed since the crime happened. These crimes tend to be murder, treason, and rape offenses. A few states have no statutes of limitations for any felony.

Can I sue for something 20 years ago?

There are no general rules related to the time period to file a case. However, you almost always have at least a year to file a civil lawsuit. Depending on the type of case or civil action, it could be much longer. Different statutes of limitations apply to different types of cases and causes of action.

Can someone sue you if you save their life?

Any individual acting in good faith to save a life shouldn't be held legally responsible for their acts unless they show great disregard for the victim. Good Samaritan laws serve to protect people who are prepared to assist another individual without any hidden motives.

How far back can you sue police?

The statute provides no time limit for filing charges for severe crimes such as murder, but less severe offenses have a two to 12-year limit, depending on the specific offense. Police misconduct cases have a two-year statute of limitations from when the injury occurs.

Can you sue police in Canada?

If you have concerns about the on-duty conduct of an RCMP officer, you have options, which can include filing a complaint and suing.

What is qualified immunity for police?

The doctrine of qualified immunity protects state and local officials, including law enforcement officers, from individual liability unless the official violated a clearly established constitutional right.

Does Canada extradite to the US?

Each Contracting Party agrees to extradite to the other, in the circumstances and subject to the conditions described in this Treaty, persons found in its territory who have been charged with, or convicted of, any of the offenses covered by Article 2 of this Treaty committed within the territory of the other, or ...

What country you Cannot be extradited from?

List of non-extradition nations to the United States. Countries like China, Iran, and Russia that normally do not extradite to a treaty with the US include a lack of extradition treaties with the US by these nations implies that on a case-by-case basis, anyone sought in the US may flee to them.

What is an example of extradition?

Famous examples include the extradition dispute with Canada on Charles Ng, who was eventually extradited to the United States on murder charges. Countries with a rule of law typically make extradition subject to review by that country's courts.