Can I be charged in 2 different counties for same offense?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can I be charged in 2 different counties for same offense?
Asked on May 15, 2014 under Criminal Law, Arkansas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Not in two counties of the same state, since the state is a single source of legal authority (the counties get their power from the state), and a single source of legal authority cannot charge you multiple times for the same offense. That said, it has to be the *same* charge--different charges based on the same facts could be brought. For example: say you committed a robbery in county A then fled to county B. A could charge you with the robbery; B could charge you with resisting arrest (if you fled from or otherwise resisted the police there), even though both charges stem essentially from the same incident.
Also, the two counties could each file charges against you, but they will ultimately end up having to consolidate them--for example, one county may drop its charge so the other can go ahead.
Finally, you could easily be charged for the exact same thing by two counties in two different states, since each state could charge you independently of the other--each state is a separate source of legal power and authority.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.