Can I turn myself in in a different state than where my warrant is if I'm not able to travel?

Question

I was driving with a suspended license in Dunwoody, GA, got pulled over, then arrested. I'm now in California for work and honestly, flat out forgot about my court date. When I tried to fax a letter to the judge it was denied and the warrant was issued. Can I turn myself in here in California, if I don't have the money for the warrant and travel at this time?

Ernest Lee · Answer

It would be better for you to hire an attorney who can do everything through the court system. For example, if I, who happens to be a California Attorney, were your attorney I would first get the GA warrant removed either by telephonic hearing or by having my associate counsel in GA execute the task. Then we would work out a please agreement where you pay the fine either in one payment or in payments by mail or online through the Court's payment system, and you are finished.

Michael J. Breczinski · Answer

No you have to go to the other State.

Larry Dunn · Answer

All States have an extradition agreement which would allow the State to   transport someone from another State. The State where the offense was  committed  may chose to not extradite depending on the nature of the charge and  expense to  transport the person even if there is an outstanding warrant.

George Derieg · Answer

You can try that, but I doubt the state of Georgia would pay for the amount of money to transport you back on account of a traffic ticket. You could possibly be in jail for up to 30 days or longer waiting for Georgia to pick you up.

James Schoenberger · Answer

It is not likely that the GA warrant is extraditable so you would not be able to turn yourself in in CA and get a free trip to GA. And even if it was, it would only be a one-way trip.

Steven Alpers · Answer

Georgia probably will not come out and get you.  It costs alot of money.  You should contact a Georgia attorney to try to handle the case without your appearance.

Dennis P. Mikko · Answer

You might be able to depending on what the warrant is for. You would then be transfered to the state where the warrant was issued from. Depending on the offense, you may have to travel to the state where the charge is to answer for it.

James Edward Smith · Answer

No.  Wait until you have money and get a lawyer in GA.

James Osak · Answer

Highly unlikely!  CA doesn't want to spend the money to "ship" you to GA.  Contact a local GA attorney.

Mark Smith · Answer

You must appear in Georgia. Contact the Prosecution and see if they will dismiss the charges. If the charges are dismissed so is the warrant.

Jennifer Leigh Gottschalk · Answer

I would surrender in California and appear before a local magistrate to post bail and not have the warrant continue to be outstanding.

Leonard A. Kaanta · Answer

You can turn yourself and be extradited to the other state.

Jeff Yeh · Answer

Absolutely not. You think they will spend the money to transport you the otehr state? With most states in dire financial straits, you can forget about it.

Jon Buchholdt · Answer

No you cannot turn yourself in to the authorities in California.  Or you should not.  It is not likely that the Georgia authorities will come after you in California. The problem is that you will not be able to renew your driver's license in California so long as there is a unresolved traffic case in Georgia.  And, it is possible that California may move to suspend your driving privileges in California even before renewal time arrives.  You should hire a lawyer in Georgia and ask him to set up a hearing at which you have permission to attend telephonically.

Michael Edwards · Answer

No, it is unlikely that the georgia court will extradite you for a misdemeanor warrant. They usually only extradite for felony cases. You need to either appear personally in Georgia and take care of that one, or you need to hire an attorney in Georgia.

Joseph Dane · Answer

The only thing California will do is hold you and notify Georgia they have you. They likely won't extradite you over a minor matter, but it also won't clear the warrant. Only the court in Georgia can recall the warrant and handle the case. You may be able to have an attorney in Georgia appear on your behalf without you having to travel back there. Contact a couple of local attorneys in Georgia to discuss this. You need a good criminal defense attorney. I'd strongly suggest you find someone who focuses on criminal law and who routinely practices in the court where this case will be heard.

Gregory Crain · Answer

You could but they probably won't extradite.  Retain attorney in Dunwoody to represent you.

Timothy Byrne · Answer

Yes, however you ay sit i jail in California for several days until Dunwooody decides they do not want you. Nevertheless, the warrant will remain active and you should expect to be arrersted on the next traffic stop Contact a Georgia attorney and get this resolved.

Eric Rothstein · Answer

It is unlikely that GA will pay to extradite you from CA for that charge. Even if they would, why would you want to spend a few weeks in jail before they came to pick you up?

Jay P. Carmean · Answer

While that is certainly an option, there is no guarantee how long it would take for you to be transported to Georgia. You would spend all of that time in jail.  My advice would be to contact a criminal defense attorney in Georgia.

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Can I turn myself in in a different state than where my warrant is if I'm not able to travel?

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