Can you leave the state with a pending felony Florida?

Asked by: Dr. Zachariah Schmidt DVM  |  Last update: January 21, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (24 votes)

Yes, you can leave Florida with a pending felony charge if you are out on bail. However, it is advised that you return to defend yourself against the criminal charges in order to ensure your rights are being respected. Consulting a local Florida attorney may be beneficial for understanding state law.

Can you leave the state with a pending felony charge in Florida?

You must remain in the state where you have the pending felony charge until the court allows you to leave the state. Some courts require that the accused remain in the state until the conclusion of the trial and the person is found innocent, at which time they may leave the state.

Can you travel with a pending felony charge?

If you face criminal charges, you may be restricted from traveling out of state or internationally. You may need to obtain permission from the court to travel, and you will be required to comply with any conditions set by the court, including adhering to the specific criminal laws of the jurisdiction you are in.

How long can a felony charge be pending in Florida?

The prosecution has 175 days to bring a pending felony charge to trial, regardless of the degree of felony. If this period lapses, and the defense files the proper legal request with the Judge, the prosecution must either proceed to trial or drop the charges.

Can a pending felony be dropped?

A felony charge may be dropped before trial if new evidence comes to light proving innocence or casting reasonable doubt. It may also occur if the prosecutor decides the case is too weak to lead to a conviction.

Can You Leave The State With A Pending Felony? - CountyOffice.org

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Will a pending felony show up on a background check?

For example, California allows the inclusion of all pending charges in background checks. While the state forbids reporting of arrests not resulting in convictions, it doesn't prohibit the reporting of currently pending criminal charges.

Can you leave the state on felony probation in Florida?

You could be required to stay within your city or county unless you have prior approval from your probation officer. You may be restricted from traveling out-of-state, or you may be mandated to stay within U.S. borders.

Can you go on a cruise with a pending felony?

You may need to stay within the jurisdiction where the case is pending, as your departure could signal to the authorities, your bail bond agent, and the court that you are a flight risk.

Am I allowed to leave the state if I have a court date?

Unless there are conditions of your release, that do not allow you to travel, it is at your discretion but you always want to confirm, with your attorney. As long as you return, prior to the court date there should be no issue but with felony cases it is always best to get permission, if there is concern.

Can I travel while my case is pending?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) considers leaving the country while your application is still under review as abandoning it, resulting in immediate denial.

Can a pending felony get a passport?

Who can and cannot get a passport? According to USA Today, most felons can get a passport without a problem. This is assuming a person is not currently awaiting trial, on probation or parole or otherwise banned from leaving the country.

Can you fly if you have a felony?

Can Convicted Felons Travel? Yes, but it depends on your country of citizenship. If you're a US citizen, then yes. You can travel to most countries worldwide as long as you have a passport and a visa (if necessary).

Can a felony charge be dropped in Florida?

Prosecutors in Florida have the discretion to allow felony charges be dropped: Lack of Evidence: If there's insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, prosecutors may choose to drop the charges rather than risk losing at trial.

Can you go to the states if you have pending charges?

The U.S. often denies travellers entry for both pending criminal charges and past convictions. Even if your charge is eventually dropped or withdrawn (or you are acquitted), the U.S. may also deny you entry if you are dishonest with them about your arrest record or even admit to the crime.

Do pending charges show up on a background check in Florida?

If you have a pending criminal case in Florida, it may appear on your background check, alerting potential employers to the legal proceedings against you. This can be particularly concerning as it may jeopardize your chances of securing employment.

Do cruise ships run background checks on passengers?

Some cruise lines publicly state they reserve the right to perform passenger background checks. That does not necessarily mean they do for all passengers, it simply means they can. Other cruise lines do not disclose this information.

Do cruise ports check for warrants?

You cannot go on a cruise with a warrant, no matter how simple the warrant is, because if you are on a cruise with a warrant, that's considered a flight from prosecution and evading the law.

Can you leave Florida while on bail?

You can generally travel within the state while out on bond with written permission from the bail agent and the court. However, you should check with the judge or court to ensure that your bail bond agreement allows for travel outside the area. Especially outside the country if you are leaving the country on a cruise.

What is the new probation law in Florida?

The Bill was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 3, 2022, and was effective on July 1. Among other things, the Bill enables Floridians on probation to receive new education and employment credits that will cut their probation terms short.

What is felony probation like in Florida?

What Are the Typical Florida Felony Probation Rules? Since a felony is more serious than a misdemeanor, the terms of felony probation are usually stricter and supervision is more intense than misdemeanor probation. You will probably have to visit your probation officer more frequently.

Can I travel on probation Florida?

You shall not leave the judicial district without permission of the Probation Officer and/or the Court. Advance approval from the Court must be requested for international travel (which includes travel beyond the three nautical mile limits) and vacation travel outside the district for more than 30 days.

What does felony pending mean?

If charges are “pending” it means that the authorities have charges in mind and they plan on executing them when an arrest is made. It can also mean that a person who is arrested and while in custody, the investigation leads to additional evidence that can support additional charges.

Do arrests without conviction show up on a background check in Florida?

Unfortunately, all arrests appear on search results when doing a background check, irrespective of how the case ended. This includes not only charges that result in convictions or plea bargains, but also those that were dropped or dismissed, as well as acquittals.

Does Amazon hire felons?

Yes, Amazon does hire felons. Your eligibility for employment will depend on the type of felony, time since you have fulfilled your sentence and corrective actions you have completed.