Understanding What It Means to Be a Fugitive of the Law in the United States

Posted on May 21, 2025 by admin

Missing a court date or facing legal trouble can be an overwhelming and confusing experience. The term “fugitive of the law” often carries serious implications, but many people don’t fully understand what it means or how to address the situation.

This blog dives deeply into the concept of a “fugitive of the law” in the United States, unpacking the definition, legal implications, and potential consequences. We’ll also provide actionable guidance for resolving fugitive status, including the role of bail bonds, ensuring you are informed about your rights and options.

By the end, you will have a clearer understanding of this issue and practical steps to take if you or someone you know is facing fugitive status.

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What Is a Fugitive of the Law?

The term “fugitive of the law” refers to an individual who actively avoids detention, prosecution, or legal obligations. Under 18 U.S. Code § 1073, a fugitive is defined as someone who has fled from one state to another to avoid prosecution or testifying.

More specifically, a person becomes a fugitive when they:

Miss a scheduled court date (commonly known as “failure to appear”).
Skip bond after being released on bail.
Evade arrest for criminal charges.
Flee the jurisdiction to avoid legal responsibilities.

The legal designation of a fugitive entails serious consequences, often increasing penalties and escalating legal complexity.

Legal Implications of Being a Fugitive

Becoming a fugitive has profound legal implications. The justice system treats individuals who flee legal obligations with significant seriousness. For instance:

Warrants are typically issued for failure to appear (FTA), which can be a criminal offense depending on your state laws.
State lines offer little refuge due to the widespread use of extradition agreements. If arrested in another state, a fugitive can be returned to the state where the legal issues originated.
For those who leave the United States, extradition treaties between countries could result in being forced back to face legal proceedings.

Acts such as bail jumping or fleeing to avoid prosecution directly conflict with statutes like 18 U.S. Code § 1073, which treats such actions as federal offenses.

What Actions Can Lead to Fugitive Status?

A range of actions can lead you to be classified as a fugitive of the law. Some of the most common triggers include:

Failure to appear in court: Whether intentional or due to oversight, missing a court date for a criminal charge often results in an FTA warrant.
Skipping bond: Failing to meet your bail conditions or absconding after being released on bail directly violates agreements with the court and bail bond provider.
Evading arrest: Avoiding law enforcement after a warrant has been issued compounds your legal troubles significantly.
Leaving a jurisdiction to avoid prosecution or questioning in a legal case.

For instance, if someone skips a court date related to a DUI charge and flees their state, they are likely to have both state and federal warrants filed against them.

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The Consequences of Being a Fugitive

When someone becomes a fugitive, the consequences can escalate quickly, impacting their legal standing, financial situation, and personal freedoms. Common penalties include:

Enhanced Charges: Fleeing adds additional charges, such as failure to appear or bail jumping.
Higher Fines and Legal Fees: Courts often impose hefty fines for missing court dates or evading authorities.
Loss of Bail: If you skipped bond, your bail amount is forfeited, placing financial strain on you (or whoever may have posted the bail).
Extradition: Crossing state or national borders to avoid prosecution triggers extradition, bringing you back to the jurisdiction where you’re wanted.

These consequences can snowball, making it critical to address fugitive status promptly.

How to Resolve Fugitive Status

If you or a loved one has become a fugitive of the law, proactive steps can help mitigate further complications. Here’s how to begin:

1. Consult with a Legal Professional

One of the first things you should do is consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. They can provide guidance on navigating your situation, handling outstanding warrants, and understanding possible outcomes.

2. Voluntarily Surrender

Voluntarily surrendering to authorities or the court can demonstrate cooperation and potentially lead to reduced consequences.

3. Clear the FTA Warrant

If your fugitive status originates from failure to appear, you’ll need to work with your attorney to clear the warrant. Explaining legitimate reasons for missing your court date, such as illness or emergencies, might soften penalties.

4. Explore Bail Bond Options

If bail is required for your release, a reliable bail bond service can provide financial assistance. This is especially helpful if the bail amount is significant and out of reach. Keep in mind:

Bail bonds typically cost a nonrefundable premium (10%-15% of the bail amount).
Bond agents may require collateral or a cosigner for high bail amounts.
Fulfilling all bail conditions is critical; skipping bond worsens your situation significantly.

How Bail Bonds Can Help

Bail bond services play an essential role in ensuring individuals don’t become or remain fugitives. Here’s how:

Financial Accessibility: Bail bond companies cover the bail cost when you can’t afford it upfront.
Efficient Process: Experienced bail bond providers streamline the process, making release from custody quicker.
Support in Skipped Bond Cases: If you skipped bond, bond agents may assist in returning you to court to address your status.

Always work with reputable bail bond providers. They not only manage the financial side but also ensure you comply with court orders, minimizing further repercussions.

Taking Positive Steps Forward

Facing fugitive status is a serious matter, but it’s not insurmountable. Acting quickly to resolve warrants, consulting legal professionals, and using resources like bail bonds can help you regain control of your situation.

If you’re currently dealing with fugitive status or supporting a loved one who is, start by reaching out to an experienced attorney for guidance. Explore bail bond services to assist with financial obstacles, and take the first step toward resolving your legal challenges today.

Looking for immediate help with getting out of jail? Need to surrender to a warrant? Let us help. Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour assistance. We provide bail assistance in over 30 Indiana counties. Together, we’ll work to bring your loved one home.

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Crossing State Lines: A Closer Look at Indiana’s Criminal Extradition Laws

Posted on July 27, 2023 by admin

Welcome to an in-depth exploration of one of the most complex legal concepts – criminal extradition laws, with a specific focus on Indiana. When a fugitive crosses over state lines, it triggers a series of legal procedures that involve both the state where the alleged crime occurred and the state where the fugitive is found.

In this post, we’re going to dissect Indiana’s stance on these laws, discuss the circumstances under which they extradite, and illuminate what this means for both law enforcement and the accused. Whether you’re a law student, an enthusiast, or simply a curious mind, this blog aims to shed light on this multifaceted issue. Continue reading to delve in!

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What is Criminal Extradition?

First, let’s define criminal extradition. Extradition involves two states coming to an agreement over the transfer of a fugitive from one state to another in order to be tried for a crime committed within their jurisdiction. The Constitution gives Congress the power to develop laws to enable this process, and each state has its own version of these laws. In Indiana, if a person is accused of a crime in another state and has fled to Indiana, the Governor can order that individual be extradited.

Criminal Extradition Process in Indiana

The process for extradition begins when a governor receives what’s called “an application for extradition.” This document outlines the alleged offense committed by the fleeing fugitive and includes evidence such as fingerprints, photographs, or documents. The state then has to decide if they will accept the application and send the person back to stand trial. If they do, an arrest warrant is issued for the individual’s detainment.

This is where Indiana can be a bit tricky. The state does not have to extradite if:

1) The alleged crime isn’t recognized in both states

2) The accused has already been tried for the same crime in some other state

3) The accused is a resident of the requesting state, and they can be tried there.

The Governor also has the right to deny extradition if he or she believes it would be unjustified or cruel. In addition, Indiana’s law states that an individual who has been extradited cannot be prosecuted for any other offense in the state they are being extradited to, unless it is related to the offense for which they were extradited.

Fleeing is Never the Answer When Facing Criminal Charges

Remember, fleeing from one state to another does not mean you can escape justice. If you break the law in Indiana and then try to leave the state, you may be subject to extradition back to Indiana if caught by authorities. It’s important that you understand your rights and protect yourself before leaving the state.

Criminal extradition is a complex subject, but it’s important to understand if you want to stay safe and out of trouble. The more we know about Indiana’s criminal extradition laws, the better equipped we are in facing these challenging situations. With this knowledge in mind, we can move forward with confidence when crossing state lines.

The important thing to remember is that laws change, so make sure you stay up to date on the most current regulations. Taking the time to do your research is key in protecting yourself and avoiding criminal extradition charges. With all that said, we wish you luck and safety for any future journeys!

In Conclusion

Understanding Indiana’s criminal extradition laws is essential for anyone who wants to cross state lines. Knowing the ins and outs of these regulations can help protect you from legal complications and keep you out of trouble. Keep in mind that federal laws regarding criminal extradition apply to all US states, so make sure you’re familiar with them as well. Always remember to do your due diligence before traveling by researching local laws and staying up to date on changes.

Are you looking for help with an arrest warrant or bailing a friend out of jail? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to learn what you need to know about your role in the Indianapolis bail bond process. We serve over 30 counties within Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana, so do not hesitate to call.

Common Requirements for an Interstate Fugitive Extradition

Posted on September 18, 2019 by admin

When a person who is facing criminal sentencing, whether accused or already convicted, flees the state in order to evade penalties for their crimes, they officially become a fugitive of the law. Basically, a fugitive is someone who flees criminal prosecution. Once a fugitive, a person is constantly at risk of being intercepted by law enforcement and sent back to the state that is prosecuting them. This process is known as criminal extradition, and involves a series of details that vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Continue reading to learn more about criminal extradition, including the common requirements that must be in place for government officials to carry out the process.

Criminal man in interrogation room being interrogated and refusing to admit crime

Criminal Extradition Process

Criminal extradition is the process of transporting a wanted criminal from an asylum state (the state they are residing in to avoid prosecution) back to the state where they are facing trial. Although extradition procedures and regulations are governed by federal statutes, our U.S. constitution delegates the duty to surrender a fugitive back to the state they have fled to the State Governor. However, the surrender of a wanted fugitive can only be carried out upon proper request.

There are certain requirements that must be in place in before a state governor agrees to an interstate extradition. Accordingly, an interstate extradition can be denied by an asylum state under four particular circumstances:

☛ All the proper documents are not in order;
☛ The fugitive is not named in the extradition paperwork;
☛ The fugitive is not wanted for a crime in the requesting state;
☛ The fugitive is not actually a fugitive.

Requirements for Interstate Extradition:

☵ The executive authority (the state demanding extradition) makes a demand to the asylum state for the return of a fugitive;

☵ The executive authority must provide a copy of an indictment or affidavit made in a court of law;

☵ The indictment or affidavit must show that the fugitive is charged with a crime, and be certified by the governor or chief magistrate;

☵ The responding executive (asylum state) must have the fugitive arrested, and notify the executive authority of the detainment;

☵ The executive authority must arrive to accept the fugitive within 30 days of the arrest;

☵ A fugitive will be released if the executive authority fails to retrieve them within 30 days of the arrest.

Have Questions About Jail in Indiana?

If you or a loved one needs bailed out of jail anywhere in Indiana, call 317-876-9600 right away. Our licensed Indianapolis bail bondsmen are ALWAYS standing by, ready to answer your questions about bailing a person out of jail, or turning yourself in for an outstanding arrest warrant, and more. We also provide free estimates, jail information, inmate searches, 24 hour services, and much more.

FAQS About Criminal Extradition

Posted on March 14, 2019 by admin

Under the National Criminal Extradition code, all suspected and charged criminals are subject to facing sudden interstate transfer if they choose to evade their legal matters, whether that be trial or punishment. If you are currently facing criminal charges in another state, it is wise to learn the potential consequences to avoiding your legal responsibilities; especially since you could possibly be extradited if taken into custody by local law enforcement.

Continue reading to learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the criminal extradition process, including who to trust for discreet assistance and advice.

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What is Criminal Extradition?

Extradition refers to the “handing-over” or “returning” of a wanted criminal from one state or nation, back to the state they fled, in order to stand trial or be sentenced to penalties. Obligatory extradition only secures and transfers persons classified as fugitives; for instance, if a person commits a crime in Indiana, but flees to Kentucky to evade criminal charges, they are considered a fugitive of the law in BOTH states. However, it is solely up to the local governments in the non-residential state (in this example, Kentucky) to cease and detain this fugitive in order to extradite them back to the original state (Indiana) where they committed their crime. The purpose of extraditing fugitives is to secure their return back to the state they are allegedly accused or suspected of committing a crime, so they can stand trial and face their deserved legal charges.

What is the Extradition Process?

To start the criminal extradition process, the state “having jurisdiction of the crime” will make a request for a fugitive’s extradition. Next, the state receiving the request will have a court determine if all the necessary paperwork is in order, and if so, they will then issue a warrant for the fugitive’s arrest. After a series of subsequent hearings reviewing and approving the paperwork, the court will make a decision to extradite or not. Many states have enacted the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act which defines the general rules for how courts make these determinations.

What Must a State Do to Extradite Fugitives?

There are several procedural requirements that must be in order BEFORE a state will extradite, or deport, a fugitive to another state. The United States Federal Law governs criminal extradition from state to state, and is defined in the Extradition Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 2. The clause decrees that, “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.”

Can a State Refuse to Extradite a Criminal?

There are 4 primary reasons why a state might refuse to extradite a criminal. These reasons are 1) The extradition request forms are not in order; 2) The suspect has not been charged with a crime in the requesting state; 3) The person being requested is not the person charged with the crime; 4) The person is not actually from the requesting state.

How Do I Turn Myself in as a Fugitive?

Contact a bail bondsman in the county of your warrant to prearrange your release from jail. Bail bond companies that offer prearranged bail bond services can help you surrender to authorities safely and securely, while at the same time, arranging to post your bond. This is the most efficient method for surrender to an arrest warrant. In minor cases, or when the jail traffic is low, a bail bondsman can obtain a release for a person turning themselves in for an arrest warrant in as little as one or two hours.

Professional Indiana Bail Bonds You Can Trust

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 turn yourself into to jail as a fugitive of the state. Owner, James Woods, and his team of experienced bail bondsmen, are licensed and bonded to get you out of jail in over 30 Indiana counties, and can even assist with interstate extradition transfers. We offer prearranged bail bonds, arrest warrant assistance, 24 hour service, and much more. If you have questions about the bail bond and extradition process, we can help. Contact us anytime for free advice and trusted service.

What is Fugitive Extradition? Can it Happen to Me?

Posted on June 20, 2017 by admin

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When a person commits a crime they should be arrested for the crime and determined innocent or guilty in a court of law. Once a person is booked in jail, they can be bonded or bailed out to await their court date in the comfort of their own home. They are then expected to return on their own recognizance and face their criminal charges as they agreed to prior to being released. This person decides to leave the state, which is against the rules of the court, they are considered a violator; but if this person takes it a step further and decides to not return, they are then considered a fugitive.

So what does the local law enforcement and prosecutors do when one of their suspected criminals flees and moves out of state to evade jail time or criminal charges? In many in most cases, they would implement extradition process. Continue reading to learn more about what it means to extradite fugitive from another state.

The Extradition Process

Extraditing a fugitive is the process in which one state surrenders a person that is wanted in a bordering state; in return, that state accepts or receives this said fugitive through a series of steps and procedures. Extradition prevents fugitives from fleeing all over the country and avoiding trial. It protects the safety of the public, and supports justice for all. Fugitives and wanted felons that have left their state to escape criminal charges are wrongfully evading trial. They should be held accountable for their crimes and penalized so that their victims are given justice as well.

When local law enforcement or prosecutors have to extradite a fugitive from a bordering state, there is a series of steps they have to complete. For example, they have to obtain the signatures of both states’ governors, complete a link the amount of paperwork, and pay certain costs and fees. The unfortunate part of these requirements is that a few states within the nation are neglecting these responsibilities and allowing fugitives to get away. They don’t wish to pay these extra costs and complete all of the tedious work that goes along with the extradition process. This this behavior is just as morally wrong as the fugitives that have already fled and ran away.

The Supreme Court may refuse to extradite a fugitive if:

❎ Extradition Paperwork is Not in Order
❎ The Person is Not Charged or Suspected of a Crime in the Initial State
❎ The Person is Not a Fugitive
❎ The Person is Not the Person Specified in the Extradition Documents

Skipping Bond

Skipping bond, especially if you used a bill bondsman to get out of jail, is irresponsible and sometimes dangerous. Not only can this negligence put you back in jail, it can leave a permanent mark on your criminal record. A bail bond agency is forced to forfeit the money they put out for the entire bond amount to obtain a person’s release from jail; if this person skips bond, the bill bondsman will go after them and bring them back to face their charges in a court of law. This way, they get their money back and justice is served. The best part about bail bondsmen and fugitive extradition is that there are no fees to pay and taxpayers are not charged a penny.

Indiana Bail Bonds

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Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for more information about extraditing the fugitive in Indiana and its surrounding states. Owner, James Woods, and his team of highly trained and experienced bail bond agents are friendly and eager to help you obtain a release from jail in Indianapolis; however, they expect all of their clients to responsibly appear for all of their scheduled court hearings in order to avoid becoming a fugitive themselves. If you want to learn more about the extradition process, contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for reliable information.

Certain States Continue to Turn Their Heads to Fleeing Fugitives Released on Bond

Posted on July 1, 2015 by admin

Some states within the nation have allowed fugitives across borders to adjacent states to live as free individuals and citizens. This has been an injustice to everyone. Get to know this topic more and potentially make a difference in your city or state.

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When a person is arrested and taken to jail, they can be bailed out using bail bond services, or they can pay the entire bond amount in cash using their own financial resources. Either way, they still have to return for their mandatory scheduled court hearing; otherwise, a warrant will be issued for them to be arrested once again. In other cases, especially for minor crimes and offenses, courts may decide to release a person on their own recognizance. This means they are trusted to show for their court hearing on their own volition, and they are not required to
pay a bond with their own money.

However, if a person fails to show for their court hearing after paying the courts the entire bond amount, they forfeit getting their money back. When out on bond by a bail bondsman, that bail bondsman has to forfeit the full bond amount they paid for that person’s release unless they can recover the fugitive and bring them back to court. When a court releases a criminal on their own recognizance, there’s no guarantee that defendants will come back to be present for their trial hearing. If they fail to appear, they are considered a fugitive of the law, and a warrant is issued for their arrest.

Fugitives are Getting Away

For the past few years, criminals have begun to realize that they can simply jump state borders to avoid facing any criminal charges in their own city or state. This isn’t the case in all states across the nation; but this practice has been continuing across the country for the past two or three years more than it ever has before. Certain states like Pennsylvania are being criticized for their controversial approach to dealing with fleeing fugitives and felons out on bond. Their approach is to simply turn their heads to fugitives fleeing the state to evade their criminal charges. Prosecutors and law enforcement officials are not willing to go after these runaways, or go pick them up if they been arrested in another state. This is called extradition.

Extraditing a criminal from another state costs money, requires an abundant amount of time and paperwork, and requires signatures from both states’ governors. To some law enforcement, police, and prosecutors, this process is much too tedious; instead, they would rather turn their heads the other way and pretend like the fugitive is lost for good. This means offenders are roaming free which puts people in danger and jeopardizes public safety. It also defames the law in general, as well as, allows criminals to go unpunished for their crimes. Think about sex offenders, kidnappers, drug dealers, and more free to wander the streets in a different state with such criminal records! This is an injustice to everyone everywhere.

Where it’s Happening

This is a sad situation that is happening in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and various other states across the country. The good news is, bail bond agencies are the answer to this problem. This is because they go after these fugitives without costing taxpayers any money at all. They are eager and motivated to continue bringing justice to all communities and neighborhoods in their states. Trust bail bondsmen to keep the streets safe by adamantly ensuring all criminals return to court to face their charges as the law says they should.

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For more information about the Indiana extradition process, extraditing a criminal, or Indianapolis bail bond services, call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 day or night. Owner, James Woods, and his team are licensed, bonded, and insured with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. We offer a variety of bail bond services; such as notary services, 24 hour bail bond services, inmate lookups, jail information, free estimates, and much more for all Indiana cities and counties. Call 317-876-9600 for information about Indianapolis bail bonds, today.

Interstate Extradition Process for Fugitives and Suspected Criminals

Posted on May 12, 2015 by admin

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Extradition is the process in which a convicted or accused criminal is surrendered or returned by one state to another. If a person commits a crime in their home state, then moves to a neighboring state in attempt to evade legal charges, they are considered fugitives of the law.

If the local law enforcement in the neighboring state apprehends the fugitive, the fugitive can be extradited back to their home state to face trial. This process is commonly controlled by federal rulings and referred to as criminal extradition. Its purpose is simple; prevent accused individuals from fleeing the state to escape criminal charges, and secure their return home if they do.

Extraditing Fugitives

Compulsory extradition is intended to seize and transfer accused individuals and felons that have fled to another state. Extraditing fugitives is important because it brings them back to the state where they broke the law, and forces them to stand trial and face proper punishment for their wrong-doings. Interstate extradition is a lengthy process that involves a series of steps on the behalf of local law enforcement officials, state prosecutors, and the governor, on both sides. In fact, the U.S. Constitution decrees that the governor is responsible for the surrender of a fugitive to another state.

Here are Additional Requirements for Interstate Extradition:

• Appointed Executive Authority (State Prosecutors or Law Enforcement Officials) Must Request the Extradition of an Accused Individual from a Neighboring State

• The Appointed Authority Must Present Proper Indictment Forms or Affidavits by a Magistrate of the State

• Affidavits or Indictments Must Charge Accused Individual for Treason, Felony, or Another Crime

• Affidavits or Indictments Must Be Authenticated by a Chief Magistrate or Governor in the State that has been Fled

• The Receiving Executive Authority in the Fled-to-State Must Find a Way to Have Fugitive Arrested and Detained, and then Inform Requesting Authority of Fled-State to Take them Back

• The Requesting Executive Authority Must Pick Up the Fugitive Within 30 Days of Arrest by the Receiving Authority

• If Fugitive is Not Picked Up by Requesting Authority, they Will Be Discharged After 30 Days

The only reasons for an extradition request to be denied would be if the required documents are not in order, the person is not charged with a crime in the fled-from state, the accused is not the person on the documents, or the person is not a fugitive at all. As you can see, it is very difficult to find a reason to not extradite a wanted fugitive. As long as local law enforcement and state prosecutors do their job, criminal extradition is a simple and effective process.

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Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to learn more about criminal extradition in Indiana, and how to bail a person out of jail in a neighboring state. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, and his team of equally-qualified and dedicated bail agents, are happy to answer your questions about the Hamilton County jail or Noblesville bail bonds anytime. We are licensed, bonded, and insured Indianapolis bail bondsmen with more than three decades of experience in the surety industry. Trust us to get you or your friend out of jail in Hamilton County, IN or any neighboring city, county, or state. Call 317-876-9600 for free information about bail bonds in Noblesville, IN or extraditing criminals in an adjacent state.

What is Criminal Extradition?

Posted on June 6, 2014 by admin

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Extradition is not a term often talked about on the streets or in the criminal world. This is because it is a vague legal term for a very common legal procedure. Extradition refers to the “handing-over” or “return” of a wanted criminal from one state or nation, back to the state they fled, to stand trial. Obligatory extradition only secures and transfers persons classified as fugitives. If a person commits a crime in one state, but flees to another to evade criminal charges, they are considered a fugitive of the law. It is up to the local governments in the new state to cease and detain this fugitive in order to extradite them back to the original state in which they committed the crime. The purpose of extraditing fugitives is to secure their return back to the state they are allegedly accused or suspected of committing a crime, so they can stand trial and face their deserved legal charges.

Extraditing Fugitives in America

Extradition also serves a purpose of prevention. It prevents accused criminals and law-breakers from being able to escape liability after perpetrating a crime. The process and procedures of extraditing fugitives is controlled by Federal law. Federal statutes are complimented by individual state law. For international extradition procedures, treaties have been set in place to govern its processes. A state or nation can sometimes refuse to sign-off on fugitive extradition if the criminal is wanted for acts that are not illegal in their state. Also, state will refuse to extradite someone for political crimes, or if they face execution or torture upon return.

To extradite a criminal, the American constitution requires the following legal obligations from both, the requesting executive state (the state in which they fled) and the receiving executive state:

• Requesting State Must Provide a Copy of the Indictment or Affidavit Made Before a Judge

• Indictment Documents Must Charge the Fugitive with a Crime

• Each States’ Governors (or Chief Magistrates) Must Provide Signatures for Authentication on Indictment Documents

• The Receiving Executive State Must Cause the Fugitive to Be Arrested and Detained; and then Ask the Requesting State to Collect the Fugitive

• An Agent of the Requesting Executive State Must Appear in Person to Collect and Obtain the Fugitive within 30 Days of their Arrest—Or the Fugitive Will Be Released

A person that flees their state after committing a crime does not have to be tried yet to be extraditable. They can simply be charged or suspected of a crime, but haven’t appeared in court yet. A person that has been charged and convicted, but somehow escaped custody, is also an extraditable fugitive. And criminals that have been convicted in absentia are also extraditable fugitives.

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For more extradition information, call James Woods, owner and operator of Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana. We have more than 30 years of experience in the indemnity industry and can accurately answer your bond questions. We are open and operational 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We offer notary services, bail bond services, jail pick services, jail information, discreet services, full bail coverage, federal bonds, state bonds, property bonds, and much more. Call us today at 317-876-9600 for additional information about extraditing fugitives in Indiana, or for professional bail bond services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties.

Bail Bondsmen Bring Wanted Fugitives Back from Neighboring States without Costing Tax Payers a Penny

Posted on March 21, 2014 by admin

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In last week’s article, we discussed how Philadelphia law enforcement officials and prosecutors are giving up on felons and wanted fugitives that flee to neighboring states to avoid being charged. It was pointed out that these same law enforcement officials and prosecutors are even rejecting their own state’s fugitives that are arrested and other states when they are called to expedite them.

Wanted felons that skip bond and abscond to nearby states are running free and able to evade criminal charges simply because police are not interested in paying the costs, obtaining governor signatures, and going through all the other necessary steps to take back to pick up a fugitive from their own state.This is called expediting a fugitive. To many, this is an outrage; wanted felons with suspicion of rape, assault, theft, and even murder, are walking free right next-door to the Pennsylvanian borders.

Leave It to a Bail Bondsman

Allowing wanted offenders and fugitives to skip their court dates and dodge charges for the crimes they committed is not justice and is not safe for the public. Excuses of costs, fees, and extra work should never be used as a reason to let unsafe individuals or criminals walk free. This is why bail bondsmen and bail bond agencies are so valuable and important to our society. Bail bondsmen run their business like this: if a person is arrested, a loved one or the arrestee contact a bail bond agency requesting bail.

A bail bond agency charges a percentage of a person’s total bond amount as a nonrefundable fee for their services. They do this to protect themselves and to ensure and encourage individuals on bail to return to their scheduled court date and face their charges as the law says they should. If a person skips bond, such as these fugitives in Pennsylvania, a bail bondsmen is required to pay their entire bond amount which can be a few hundred dollars or thousands of dollars. Bail bondsmen and bail bond companies do not want forfeit the bond so they fervently seek out and bring back people who skip bond or try to escape the state and run free.

Bail bondsmen are doing the right thing by rightfully and legally pursuing these criminals or wanted individuals and returning them to the courtrooms where they belong. Not only does this allow the justice system to do their job, it allows the public to be safe once again. Not many people understand the significance of the bail bond system; however, this is a perfect example. Bail bondsmen will leave their own state, and fetch fugitives that try and invade criminal charges by moving away. To them, it is all part of the job that they love doing; which includes protecting the public and helping people that wish to be released from jail on a bail bond.

This practice of leaving the state and bringing back onto fugitives to the proper city in which they face criminal charges does not cost taxpayers a single cent. Nor do law officials have to pay any associated costs for bail bondsmen to do this. Bail bond agencies play a very important role in our local communities. They are not just a company you call when you are arrested and want to get out jail; they offer a variety of other resources, services, and help. And as you can see, they are also willing and eager to do the work that those Philadelphia law enforcement officials and prosecutors are not willing to do at this moment in time.

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If you are loved one require bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana, contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 right away. Not only can we provide speedy and friendly release from jail in Indiana, we are bail bondsmen seriously and ensures that the public remains. Somebody skips bond, no matter where they are, we will go after them. Owner, James Woods, and his team of highly dedicated and experienced bail bondsmen are happening into your questions about bail bond services or how to get out of jail and Indianapolis. Speak with a professional bail bond agent
in Indiana today.

Thousands of Wanted Fugitives Migrating From Philadelphia to New Jersey May Not Be So “Wanted” After All

Posted on March 14, 2014 by admin

Philadelphia Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Have Turned their Backs on Fugitive Criminals Fleeing to New Jersey and Other Neighboring States

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A recent article issued by USA Today revealed a very controversial story following a meticulous investigation executed by their own workforce. As it turns out, nearly 200,000 fugitives all across the United States are using a new loophole within law enforcement and court room agendas, allowing them to cross state borders to avoid conviction and jail time. This means their crimes go unpunished, victims remain victims, and the public stays at risk.

This “loophole” is not part of any local ordinance or national law; instead, fugitives are taking advantage of the fact that prosecutors and law enforcement have taken a backseat when it comes to expediting criminals in another state. This situation is happening fast specifically in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania counties and neighboring states. Let’s discuss the Philadelphia fugitive crisis more in detail, instead of taking too much time focusing on all the fugitives that are crossing borders in almost every state of our country. We can illustrate those statistics and facts later on.

Fugitives are Escaping Simply By Crossing the Pennsylvania State Borders and Bridges

Authorities in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia areas are basically refusing to take fugitives and wanted felons back once they leave the state. The recent investigation led by the team at USA Today exposed an astonishing statistic.

They revealed that nearly 95% of the fugitives wanted in Philadelphia, which includes a large portion of criminals accused of felony crimes (i.e. armed robbery, sexual assault, murder, etc.), have escaped their charges simply by crossing the Philadelphia Bridge to Camden County, New Jersey. Only three subway stops away from the courthouse in Philadelphia, authorities are still refusing to go after criminals and wanted felons in New Jersey. The question that everyone wants to know is, “why?”

Why are Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Not Extraditing on Criminal and Felony Warrants?

Everyone wants to know why this is happening in Philadelphia and all across the nation. There is a reason and there is an excuse. The excuse, handed down by Pennsylvanian prosecutors and law enforcement officials, blames restricted resources and the tedious process of expediting a criminal. When it comes to the real reason, it all boils down to basic negligence and vocational lethargy. Let’s talk about what this means; if a Pennsylvania or Philadelphia fugitive is in another jail in a different state, local law enforcement routinely refuses to go after them to bring them back to Pennsylvania and face the criminal charges and a court of law. This is because they don’t want to have to pay the cost of expediting a criminal across state borders, complete the mounds of paperwork associated with the case (which could take months), nor get the signatures of both states’ governors to complete the expedition process. Instead, Pennsylvanian police allow fugitives to get away with their crimes and flee to wherever they wish in the country. Although the paperwork may take a while, this is absolutely no excuse for neglecting public safety and justice. In most cases, it only cost a few hundred dollars to expedite a criminal across state borders; and getting a signature from two governors should never stop law enforcement or prosecutors from doing their jobs.

One example concerns a felon by the name of Thomas Terlecky, who has been a fugitive of Philadelphia for more than 17 years. He is wanted on charges of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, but lives as a free man in the state of Florida. Within the 17 years of being a fugitive, Thomas has been arrested and detained in the Miami, Dade County jail more times than he can count. In fact, he was recently pulled over for a concealed license plate and arrested; however Pennsylvanian law enforcement requested that he be released only hours later because they were unwilling to get him and bring him back to a Philadelphia courtroom for trial.

This is all because they snub the idea of paying the expedition costs, completing the paperwork, and obtaining governor signatures. This lack of commitment to their promise as prosecutors and law enforcement is outraging the public, and even more so, the victims. What can we do about the situation?

The FBI retains a database that archives every fugitive’s case in the United States. The police and local law enforcement use these databases to retrieve suspects and fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants. These FBI databases show that nearly 200,000 felony suspects are not being pursued by their local law enforcement officials. Also, an additional 78,000 and more may or may not be extradited even from their neighboring states. Local governments simply don’t want to spend the time or money to go after these felons and criminals. They would rather wait to come across them in a routine traffic stop or another future arrest instead of going after them like the law says they should. Here are a few infuriating examples of fugitives that have been allowed to walk free as a result of police and prosecutor negligence:

Darrell Matthews – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wanted for Hitting an Unmarked Police Car While Driving Drunk in 2001

Kevin Mena Carmona – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wanted for Using a Knife and Cutting Someone in a Robbery in 2011

John Ross – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wanted for Sexually Assaulting a 73 Year Old Stroke Victim in 2012

Collier County, Florida
Man Wanted for Slicing His Roommate’s Neck with a Machete

Newport News, Virginia
Man Wanted for Pulling a Gun on a Store Manager During a Robbery

Even the deputy district attorney of Philadelphia, Laurie Malone, agrees that law enforcement is not interested in these fugitives. They just don’t want them. She agrees that police have endless opportunities to retrieve these wanted felons and criminals, but blatantly declines on a regular basis. This is surely a sad story happening in the United States at this very moment. Let us all hope that local governments, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and police change their minds about the expedition process in choose to do what’s right when it comes to justice and the law.

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For more information about expediting a criminal in a neighboring state of Indiana, called James Woods, owner and operator of Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis. Just call 317-876-9600 speak with a live and licensed bail bondsman about bailing a friend or loved one out of jail in another state by Indiana. Here at Woods Bail Bonds, are licensed and insured bail bondsmen are more than happy to answer your questions about bail bond services, expedition procedures, and more. There is a reason why Woods Bail Bonds is the most trusted, accomplished, and respected bail agency in Indiana. Call us today at 317-876-9600 for details about our bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties and states.