Expert: Robin Sexton - 1/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: If some one is a fugitive from a different state and they get caught outside of the state that they left from and they catch a couple of charges in the new state they are in and are put in jail and the new state finds out that they have warrants out for them in the other state will they be able to get out on bail if the new state gives them a bail? Or will they still have to sit in there and wait for the grand marshalls to pick them up?

ANSWER: Tatiana,

Each charge a person is arrested for is subject to a bond or bail amount.  With few exceptions such as homicide, kidnapping and some type of sexual assault a person is entitled to bond. These bonds are cumulative meaning you have to pay bond for each charge before release. If a person is a fugitive from another state there usually isn't a bond they are held pending extradition.  If the person decides to fight extradition then the state holding the person will have a hearing and at that hearing a bond will be ordered pending the extradition hearing.  I hope i explained it clearly enough if not write back

Hope this helps

robin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Robin,
So if the person does have a bond for all of the charges but they are a fugitive will they get released if you bail them out until there court date. Or will they have to sit in there since they have a federal hold on them?

Answer
Tatiana,

Even the fugitive charge should have a bond. Sometimes the person will have not bond set pending an initial court appearance but usually at the time a warrant is issued bond is set.  Easy way to find out is to call the jail where the subject is and ask these same questions.  How much is the bond ?  Does that cover everything including any out of state or other jurisdictions ?

Good luck

robin