Canadian with a Warrant in Washington State

[roxyroller]

My question involves an arrest warrant from the State of: Washington

Hi,

I have a problem. I am a Canadian with a bench warrant issued for me in Washington State from 10 years ago. My question is, if I try to cross the border into Washington, OR fly out of Vancouver, BC airport (clearing customs in the airport on Canadian land) Will I be arrested? Or will they just turn me back and refuse entry?

I want this to be dealt with but I can't afford to show up at the border and spend any time in jail. I also can't afford much for a lawyer right now but would love to have this dealt with.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you!

[Papi Yanqui]

You will be arrested if you are on U.S. soil and it's CBP that ascertains you have an outstanding warrant.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Not necessarily. If there's a limited pickup radius or it's not slated for interstate enforcement, it could delay entry or result in being turned back, but there's no point in detaining somebody on a warrant that nobody is going to enforce at the distance involved.

[roxyroller]

Ok, so say I am flying out of Vancouver, BC Canada (where we clear customs HERE before we leave, the American border agents work at the Vancouver airport since it's not far from Washington State) and on my way to Las Vegas or New York.. will they stop me right there and arrest me? Or just not let me through?

[Papi Yanqui]

Not necessarily. If there's a limited pickup radius or it's not slated for interstate enforcement, it could delay entry or result in being turned back, but there's no point in detaining somebody on a warrant that nobody is going to enforce at the distance involved.

You are correct about the limited pickup. I was incorrectly assuming felony warrant in NCIC.

It is always worth detaining somebody. That almost always gives the right to search the person. They may have something on them they aren't supposed to have. Drugs. A weapon. More than $10,000 cash not claimed on the Customs form. Heck I would even fingerprint them and submit them through AFIS.

[cyjeff]

Much depends on the original crime.

What was it?

[roxyroller]

Well, I can tell you it wouldn't be worth detaining me..lol I would have nothing like drugs or guns or any of the sort on me. I am a business owner and own my own house and am a good person.

The original charge I believe was forgery or false documents or something. I can't even remember it was a long time ago when I was 19. I had used my ex's bank cards when I shouldn't of. I was young and stupid at the time and am sorry I did that.

I want to go to New York with my girlfriends for a shopping weekend... I also want to fly to Vegas to see a friend. So just wondering what's going to happen at my airport when they scan my passport.

Cheers!

[zedex]

I live in BC and have known alot of folks that have the same problem.

Here's the scoop:

When your passport is scanned, it does a background and warrants check through the FBI since your flights are US bound. The warrant will show up and depending on severity of crime, they will either say nothing and peg you on US ground or inform you that you may be arrested upon entering the US> As pointed out, it depends on a radius issue.

What you may not know is that once the warrant pops up and you are arrested, a radius issue may not show up for weeks after your arrest. During which time you may sitting in Vegas or Ny as a guest of the county while they wait for Washington to decide what they may want to do.


{ I knew one guy who sat for four months waiting on instructions from the issuing agency. After four months, they authorized release of the guy--- it was the same sentence he would have got anyway, but this way, he served his time without cost and time of trial}

The best I can tell you is call the agency and ask if they could have someone from that agency meet with you at the border for surrender and resolev the matter. Who knows, if it is something so simple and minute, they may be inclined to just drop the matter. Give them a ring.