Can you travel with a pending felony charge?
Asked by: Aliyah Hegmann | Last update: December 14, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (53 votes)
The court may impose travel restrictions on you, requiring you to remain within the jurisdiction where the case is pending. You may need to obtain permission from the court to travel out of state, even for a short period.
Can you fly within the US with pending felony charges?
Rules for Traveling With Pending Criminal Charges
Are you charged with a felony committed at the same time as the misdemeanor charge? If you are facing felony charges, you are likely unable to travel outside the state. Courts may not rule in your favor to travel even if you live in another state.
Is a pending felony a conviction?
A pending charge does not mean that the applicant is guilty of a crime. Instead, it means that a case is currently pending and has not been decided.
Can you travel if you have a pending charge?
While the accused is legally required to attend for fingerprints and court (or have their lawyer do so on their behalf), most people do not have restrictions preventing them from leaving the country. This does not mean other countries, such as the USA, will allow entry with charges pending.
Can you get a passport with a pending felony?
As part of the passport application process, you will be asked to answer questions about outstanding legal issues, including outstanding warrants. The Department of State can refuse a passport application if a person has: An outstanding warrant for a federal felony. An outstanding state or local warrant for a felony.
Can I Travel To The United States With A Pending Charge?
Can you leave the country if you have a felony?
Most convicted felons can easily get a passport without any issues, but visiting some countries may not be as simple due to restrictions and limitations set by those countries' governments.
Can I get a passport if I have a pending charge?
While most felons can get passports, some applications do end up denied. This also happens if: You have an outstanding warrant or pending charges.
Does a pending charge mean it will go through?
Essentially, pending transactions mean the money has been committed to a specific purchase, but it's still moving between accounts. Your account balance may or may not reflect the money spent in a pending transaction. You are still able to use your card normally while these payments process.
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 you travel to Mexico with a pending felony charge?
According to the State Department, “Mexican law permits Mexican immigration authorities to deny foreigners entry into Mexico if they have been charged with or convicted of a serious crime in Mexico or elsewhere.”
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.
Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?
Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.
How long does it take for a felony charge to go away?
Dismissed felony charges can usually be sealed or expunged right away. In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.
Do pending felonies show background check?
A background check in California can show pending criminal charges, along with misdemeanor and felony convictions going back seven years. Non-convictions, like non-pending arrests, charges, indictments that did not result in a conviction, cannot be reported.
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.
Can you get TSA approved if you have a felony?
Along with felonies, some criminal offenses, including extortion, bribery, and firearms related incidents, can disqualify you from being approved for TSA PreCheck if they occurred in the last seven years.
Can you get on a plane with pending charges?
Traveling with Pending Criminal Charges
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.
Can you travel out of the country with a pending felony?
Courts often order the person to obtain specific permission if they want to leave a specified area, and in most cases will not allow any travel abroad prior to the resolution of the case. In more serious cases, a person's passport will be seized by the Court.
Has anyone been denied entry with advance parole?
Having an advance parole document does not prevent abandonment of the change of status application. When you return to the United States, you are likely to be denied admission if your current status has expired.
How long do pending charges stay pending?
Key takeaways. Pending charges on credit cards are temporary holds to ensure payment for potential damages or incidental expenses. Pending charges typically take up to three days to clear with the merchant, but can take longer. Issues with pending charges should be resolved with the merchant, not the card issuer.
Is a pending charge on your record?
Most states are like California, so the odds are that any pending charges will show up in a background check--regardless of whether or not it was a misdemeanor or felony. As with any type of background check though, the information that shows up is dependent on how closely someone checks the records.
Can a pending charge be cancelled?
Yes. To cancel a pending credit card transaction before it's complete, start by calling the merchant directly. Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled.
How do you know if your passport is flagged?
Extended questioning can be a sign that you've been flagged for further inspection. Secondary Inspection: If you're directed to secondary inspection upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, it could indicate that you've been flagged for additional scrutiny.
How much do you have to owe the IRS to be denied a passport?
The answer depends on the severity of your delinquency. According to the IRS, you will not be able to renew or apply for a passport if you are considered to owe “seriously delinquent” back taxes in the amount of $53,000 or more. Based on these conditions, the State Department can also revoke your current passport.