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What is a Fugitive from Justice in Fort Collins, Colorado?

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What is a fugitive from justice in Colorado? Read more in our blog.

Generally, we hear the term ‘Fugitive from Justice’ when a warrant for someone’s arrest is issued and the person is not located in the state that issued the warrant. The U.S. Constitution requires:

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.Article IV, Section II

This means that every state has a common obligation to return any person wanted by another state for a crime, usually with an arrest warrant. C.R.S. 16-19-101, the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, explains the stages both states must go through to guarantee a fair transfer. The governors have to get involved and there are specific steps each state has to take before they can forcibly transfer a person. This applies to anyone wanted for prosecution in Larimer, Boulder or Grand County.

Larimer County Defense Attorney: Fugitive Does Not Mean Running from the Law

The word ‘Fugitive’ basically refers to a person wanted in another state. The connotation with this word is that a person is hiding out or running from the law. But, this is not necessarily always the case. Some Fugitives did not even know they were wanted in Colorado when they left. Or, they may have been charged after leaving the state. Once accused of a crime, like felony Assault or Arson, they become a Fugitive because they are not located in the state that charged them. They have to be brought back to the charging state to face these accusations and determine their innocence or guilt.

The Trip Back to Colorado – Not Always a Pleasant One

If you are arrested in another state for an alleged crime in Colorado, your extradition may not be an enjoyable one. One of our clients was arrested in Texas and he endured a two – week road trip in a crowded van with other inmates. It took a lot of time and he was held responsible for the cost of the trip. Another O’Malley Law Office client was able to get in touch with us from California after his arrest, and we worked out a deal, so he could drive himself to Colorado and turn himself in, saving him from an uncomfortable trip and extra expenses in the form of restitution.

If you have been identified as a Fugitive from Justice for extradition, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact a criminal law specialist lawyer at the O’Malley Law Office today, at 970 658-0007. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Credit: Pixabay – Kaz

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Fugitive from Justice Lawyer in Fort Collins, Colorado

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Are you a Fugitive from Justice? Find out what this means and why you need an experienced attorney in Larimer County to help you with your case.

Are you a Fugitive from Justice? Find out what this means and why you need an experienced attorney in Larimer County to help you with your case.
Generally, when you hear the word ‘Fugitive,’ you think of someone who is actively running from the law. This, however, is not always the case in Larimer, Grand and Boulder County. Many times, the person who is considered a Fugitive From Justice was not even aware there was a warrant for their arrest.

Definition of Fugitive From Justice

C.R.S. 16-19-103 defines Fugitives from Justice:

it is the duty of the governor of this state to have arrested and delivered up to the executive authority of any other state of the United States any person charged in that state with treason, felony, or other crime, who has fled from justice and is found in this state.

Basically, this means that if Boulder County has issued a warrant for your arrest, and you are in Michigan, it is the responsibility of the governor of Michigan to arrest you and send you back to Colorado. The governor does this by issuing a warrant in the state you reside. Generally, this happens during a routine traffic stop or any other circumstance where you have police contact and they run a your identifying information through the system. They will be notified of the outstanding warrant and will take you into custody and begin the extradition process.

What is Extradition?

Extradition means removing a person from one state and transporting them to the state with the warrant for criminal proceedings or punishment. State – to – state extradition procedures and rules are found in the U.S. Constitution, Article IV Section 2 and in Colorado’s Uniform Criminal Extradition Act. It is uniform because it has been agreed to by many states. It defines specific procedures to be used for extradition among ‘member’ states. This means it doesn’t matter which of the 50 states you are found in, you will be sent back to the state that issued the warrant if proper procedures are followed.

Examples of Fugitives From Justice Cases in Larimer County

At the O’Malley Law Office, we have helped clients who were considered Fugitives from Justice. One of our clients was apprehended in California. Luckily, he was able to get ahold of us and we worked out a deal where he paid a small bond to the courts in California and they allowed him to drive himself to Colorado to turn himself in.

Another of our clients was arrested in Texas for a warrant issued in Colorado. He did not come to us until after his extradition, but told us about his experience. It took Texas weeks to get him to Colorado and he traveled in a crowded van filled with other inmates. They made many stops along the way and he spent nights in numerous small county jails. He was also given the financial responsibility of paying for the trip, as it was added to his restitution.

Why You Need a Fort Collins Lawyer If You Are Considered a Fugitive From Justice

At the O’Malley Law Office, we work hard to help you with your legal situation. We may be able to work out a deal like the one above where your extradition does not have to be so miserable. The courts do not look kindly on a person who had to be extradited from another state, as it is a costly and lengthy process. Your experienced criminal defense attorney can argue for your circumstances and prove to the courts that you were not running from the law. Whether you are charged with Assault, a Domestic Violence offense, or Burglary, we can defend you and get you the best possible outcome for your case.

Request a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one is a Fugitive from Justice charged with any crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the O’Malley Law Office at (970) 658-0007 for a free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.