If you're arrested in Pennsylvania, but you live out of state, overall, the process would remain similar to a person who lives in Pennsylvania. That being said, there are certain additional considerations and concerns that could affect a person who lives out of state and is arrested in Pennsylvania. First and foremost, you need to have an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney in your corner from as early as possible in the process to protect your rights and interest.
As an out-of-state person getting arrested in Pennsylvania, the court and the District Attorney's Office or the Attorney General's office, whomever may be involved in the case, they could consider the fact that you live out of state as you being a potential flight risk. It could be an issue with respect to the setting of bail at the apical time. With necessary steps taken by your attorney, that is a potential hurdle that should be able to be relatively easily overcome in many instances.
Fundamentally, as difficult as it would be to not worry about the circumstances, because, of course, being arrested and charged with a crime is incredibly difficult, your attorney should be taking all necessary steps for you to make sure that the process goes as smoothly and as favorably as possible. There are going to be some instances where your attorney may, in fact, be able to appear on your behalf in court, if you live out of state with the agreement of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who's prosecuting the case, that is, and the judge for example.
That's a potential, for lack of a better word, benefit, of being an out-of-state resident. Of course, there's no benefit if you're being charged with a crime but there are certain accommodations that may be able to be made depending on the circumstances. An experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney will be able to let you know what's appropriate to the circumstances and will be able to protect your rights and interest.
