Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

i have a felony warrent for my arrest, the charge is pc459. am i breaking the law if i leave the state?


Asked on 4/29/11, 12:08 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Interstate flight to avoid prosecution is a separate federal crime.

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Answered on 4/29/11, 2:23 am
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Well, you could be charged additionally with flight to avoid prosecution. For you to handle this, you must turn yourself into the court, with or without an attorney, and try to negotiate a plea bargain on the warrant and outstanding charges. Doing so voluntarily will result in a better outcome than you being brought in cuffs to court after arrest on the warrant. That will happen if you come in contact with law enforcement or customs anywhere in the US. Effective plea-bargaining, using whatever legal defenses, facts and sympathies there may be, could possibly keep you out of jail/prison, or at least dramatically reduce it, and may enable you to get your probation and programs reinstated. If this is a felony, the defendant must be personally present at every court hearing and appearance. Unless you're competent to effectively represent yourself in court against a professional prosecutor trying to put you in jail, most people hire an attorney who can. If serious about hiring counsel to help you in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 4/29/11, 10:42 am


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