Out of State Offenders

The Philadelphia area welcomes nearly 40 million visitors every year. In addition to being a popular destination for business travelers, the City of Brotherly Love's numerous historical areas, outdoor sculptures, and other famous attractions also make it exceptionally popular with people visiting for leisure as well.

Whatever the purpose of a stay in Eastern Pennsylvania might be, nobody intends to be arrested for criminal activity while visiting Philadelphia. It is important for any person who is charged with a crime in this city to not think that they can simply go back home and forget about the arrest as though nothing happened.

Philadelphia Out of State Offenders Lawyer

Were you arrested for any type of criminal offense while visiting Philadelphia? An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you resolve your case while minimizing your need to make return visits to Pennsylvania.

Joseph Lento of Lento Law Firm represents tourists and other visitors who are facing criminal charges in Philadelphia County and nearby areas of Pennsylvania. He can provide a complete evaluation of your case and discuss your legal options when you call (215) 535-5353 to arrange a free, confidential consultation.

Philadelphia County Out of State Offenders Overview

Common Pennsylvania Charges Against Out of State Offenders

Some arrests may be the result of people allegedly making poor decisions while being intoxicated. Other criminal offenses could simply be the result of a visitor's lack of familiarity with state or local laws in Pennsylvania.

A few of the more prevalent types of crimes tourists and other visitors are charged with in the Philadelphia area include, but are not limited to:

Domestic Violence
Drug Charges
Drunk Driving or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Drugs
Firearm / Weapon Charges
Marijuana Charges
Property and Theft Offenses
Sex Crimes
Traffic Offenses
Violent Crimes

Popular Philadelphia Attractions for Out of State Visitors

There are a wide variety of locations in the Philadelphia area that are incredibly popular destinations for tourists. As a result, there may be increased police presences in some of these areas and less tolerance for any alleged behavior that is considered unlawful.

A few of the most commonly visited attractions in the city include:

2300 Arena
Citizens Bank Park
Fairmount Park
Franklin Square
Geno's Steaks
Independence National Historical Park
Lincoln Financial Field
McGillin's Olde Ale House
Pat's King of Steaks
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia Museum of Art (“Rocky Steps”)
Rittenhouse Square
Wells Fargo Center

Possible Pennsylvania Case Outcomes for Out of State Offenders

Criminal charges that are filed in the Philadelphia area need to be resolved in Pennsylvania. An alleged offender cannot have his or her case transferred to another court in his or her home state.

After a person has been charged with a crime in Pennsylvania, he or she will be given a date to make his or her first court appearance. Failure to do so can result in a bench warrant being issued for that person's arrest. If the alleged offender was arrested for a felony offense, then he or she could be extradited back to Pennsylvania to face criminal charges.

Additionally, Pennsylvania is also a member of Driver License Compact (DLC), an interstate effort that allows states to exchange information about non-resident traffic violations. Under the DLC, a driver who is charged with DUI in the Keystone State could still be penalized by his or her home state for that same offense.

If you were arrested for any criminal offense in Philadelphia County and attempt to resolve the matter without the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer, you could have to deal with the following issues:

Additional Penalties — Ignoring certain offenses can result in consequences imposed by an alleged offender's home state as well as punishments rendered by Pennsylvania courts
Criminal Record — Some people might believe that simply pleading guilty to quickly close a case means the records stay in Pennsylvania, but some charges will still appear on criminal records
Multiple Court Appearances — An individual who wants to fight the charge he or she is facing could have to make many return visits to the Philadelphia area for court dates

However, seeking the help of a local attorney could help you achieve one of the following more favorable outcomes:

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program — Similar to the pretrial diversion programs or deferred disposition programs of other states, Pennsylvania's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program involves restitution, community service, payment of fines, or other requirements instead of jail time for certain first-time or non-violent offenders
Charges Dismissed — In cases where a prosecutor either does not have enough evidence or there are other weaknesses, a defense lawyer may be able to simply get the charges could simply get thrown out
Plea Bargain — An attorney can negotiate with a prosecutor to have charges significantly reduced instead of taking a case to trial

Find the Best Out of State Offender Lawyer in Philadelphia

If you were charged with any type of criminal offense while visiting Pennsylvania, you should reach out to a criminal defense attorney who handles cases in this area. Joseph Lento has nearly a decade of experience fighting for people who have been accused of various crimes.

Lento Law Firm assists visitors and tourists who were arrested in Philadelphia County or surrounding communities in Pennsylvania. Call (215) 535-5353 right now to let our firm review your case during a free legal consultation.