What would happen if you committed a crime in one state, traveled to a different state, and were found by those police?

Asked by: Cullen Gerhold  |  Last update: November 20, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (9 votes)

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 commit a crime in a different state?

Yes, if you commit a crime in more than one state, you can be charged, tried, and convicted in each of those states. This is because each state has its jurisdiction and can prosecute individuals for crimes committed within its boundaries.

What happens if someone commits the same crime in multiple states?

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.

Can you press charges on someone in a different 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 states prosecute for crimes in other states?

Like the federal government, states can apply their laws to people beyond their borders. Statutes can reach out-of-state conduct, such as fraud, that has effects within the state, and in some circumstances, states can prosecute their own citizens for out-of-state conduct.

What Happens If You Commit a Crime in Another State

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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.

Do cops from other states have jurisdiction?

State police officers have jurisdiction only in the state they have officer employment status in, meaning a North Dakota Highway patrol officer cannot arrest someone in North Carolina. County police officers, more commonly known as sheriff deputies, only have jurisdiction in the county where they are employed.

Can someone press charges without proof?

Types of Evidence Used by the Prosecution

For example, the uncorroborated testimony of an eyewitness is sufficient for a charge and a conviction, if it proves the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A person may be charged based on the testimony of a witness or victim, even if there is no physical evidence.

How do you move an accused person from one state to another?

States and the federal government can seek to bring criminals to justice through extradition. Extradition laws allow a state to hand someone over to another state for criminal prosecution. Extradition of persons can occur in one of two ways: Between two states (interstate extradition)

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.

What states that you Cannot be tried for the same crime twice?

The Fifth Amendment's protection against double jeopardy primarily applies to criminal cases. It states you cannot be prosecuted twice for the same criminal charge.

What happens if you commit a crime on the border of two states?

When a crime crosses state lines, it can become a federal prosecution. In addition to crimes involving crossing state lines, the United States Congress enacted many criminal laws relying on powers given under the commerce clause, giving them the authority to pass laws that affect interstate commerce.

Can the feds take over a state case?

The fed gov can only constitutionally pick up a state case if two conditions are met. 1] There is a corresponding federal statute. A federal statute that clearly and precisely reads in such a way that it defines the same conduct as criminal. 2] The person is a citizen of the United States.

Do you go to jail in the state you committed the crime?

Can You Be Held in Jail for an Out-of-State Arrest? Yes, the jurisdiction that arrests you can hold you in jail pretrial. You're still entitled to a bail hearing and appointment of counsel if you can't afford a lawyer. But that jurisdiction doesn't care where you're from when it comes to an arrest.

What happens if you flee the country to avoid jail?

Extradition From the U.S. to Another Country

If someone is suspected of committing a crime, they may try and leave the country to avoid a trial or punishment. However, if they go to a country that has an extradition agreement with the United States, they may find themselves turned over to U.S. custody.

When a crime crosses state lines?

Likewise, crimes that cross state lines or occur in multiple states, such as interstate trafficking, may fall under federal jurisdiction. However, if a crime is committed entirely within a single state's boundaries, the state has the jurisdiction to prosecute the offense.

What country has no extradition?

Countries not having extradition treaties with the US include Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, ...

What does rule 21 mean in court?

Rule 21 – Misjoinder and Nonjoinder of Parties. Misjoinder of parties is not a ground for dismissing an action. On motion or on its own, the court may at any time, on just terms, add or drop a party. The court may also sever any claim against a party.

Can you transfer a case from one state to another?

A state criminal prosecution cannot be transferred from one state to another. If he's convicted, it might be possible to transfer his probation or parole to another state.

Can you go to jail without evidence?

But it boils down to the fact that in order to be arrested for a criminal offense there has to be evidence, there has to be some level of evidence that would lead a reasonable, cautious police officer to believe the accused guilty.

Why do cops ask if you want to press charges?

Once an individual reports a crime to the police, the police must determine whether a crime has actually been committed via probable cause and then arrest the offender. The prosecutor then decides whether to press charges; the cooperation of the individual who reported the crime is generally vital to this process.

How long does it take for a detective to contact you?

In some serious crimes or situations, time is of the essence. A detective may contact individuals within hours or days. In less urgent cases, or where they are waiting on DNA or subpoenaing records (i.e., banks, social media, etc.), it could take 6 months.

Why are state troopers so strict?

Often, this is because the founding leader of such agencies was a retired high-ranking military officer. So they are taught to toe the line, and probably expect citizens to do the same.

Can cops transfer from state to state?

In-State vs. Out-of-State Transfers. In-state transfers are always easier because the officer is already certified to be a police officer in that state. Going out of state will require the officer to receive additional training, specifically about that state's laws.

Who controls the local police?

All police forces are run by the states and local governments.. So, the Governors and Mayors are in-charge of police..so to speak… The FBI is the closest the federal government comes to having a police force…which it is not…