Utah Police Jurisdictional LimitsCan a Utah police officer arrest a person outside the city limits or outside of the county of the officer's normal jurisdiction?The belief that a police officer has to stop at the county line or at a city boundary is a mistaken belief. A police officer's authority outside of his/her normal jurisdiction can include making a traffic stop, issuing a criminal citation, conducting an investigation, pursuing a suspect, or making a formal arrest. Show
In general, police officers will exercise their authority within the jurisdiction of the city or county in which they are employed. Certain law enforcement officers (Utah Highway Patrol, SBI, etc.) have statewide jurisdiction. But even local police officers or county sheriff's deputies may exercise their authority beyond their normal jurisdictions under certain circumstances. The authority to act outside of a police officer's normal jurisdiction is governed by Utah Code 77-9-3. This statute provides a law enforcement officer who is authorized by any governmental entity in the State of Utah (e.g., a city or county), to exercise authority beyond the officer's normal jurisdictional limits in the following circumstances:
Note that this statute does not provide Utah peace officers with jurisdiction outside the State of Utah, but only within the State. Further, this statute requires officers to notify and receive authority from local law enforcement authorities prior to taking action when possible, or to notify local authorities as soon as reasonably possible if it is not feasible to obtain authority prior to taking action under this section. Choosing a Utah Criminal Defense AttorneyIf you have been arrested or cited for a criminal offense in Utah, choosing the right criminal attorney to handle your case can be one of the most important decisions you make. With experience defending cases ranging from capital murder to DUI, and virtually everything in between, we have the knowledge, skills, and tenacity needed to help you get the results you need.Whether your case involves misdemeanor or felony charges, the consequences of conviction can be serious. Contact us today to see how the right criminal defense attorney can help you. You want the best defense. Agressive is good. But results ultimately are what really matter. Creating an effective strategy for defending against criminal prosecution requires a thorough understanding of statutes, case law, and evidentiary and procedural rules. A successful outcome is more likely when.... Strategy » Police officers are hired to operate in certain geographic zones based on the department where they are employed. However, there are some situations where they may try to make an arrest or give someone a ticket while outside of their jurisdiction. This is allowed in certain, limited circumstances. In others, it may mean that they have made an unlawful arrest – and this could impact the entire outcome of a case, even resulting in the dismissal of all charges against a person. Every case is different when it comes to officers making arrests outside of their jurisdictions, so we will share some basic information about this issue and attempt to shed light on when it may and may not be allowed. As always, the best way to get insight pertaining to your case is by involving an attorney who has experience with such matters. Our Tampa criminal defense lawyers are standing by to offer our guidance – all you have to do to get started is call (813) 321-7323 for your free consultation. When Can a Cop Make an Arrest Outside of Their Jurisdiction?In Florida, the scenarios where a police officer can make a lawful arrest outside of their jurisdiction are limited. An officer may stop or detain someone if:
In these scenarios, the officer would have the same authority to arrest and place someone in custody as if they were in their own jurisdiction. In the absence of one of the above scenarios, however, the officer has no more authority than a normal citizen. They may have a badge and a gun, but this does not grant them unlimited power to give tickets or detain people. Citizen’s Arrest by a Police OfficerThere is one final scenario where a police officer may make an arrest outside of their jurisdiction, and this is when they are acting not as a cop but as a normal citizen by making a citizen’s arrest. In Florida, a police officer may make a citizen’s arrest if they have witnessed a felony or an act that poses a threat to public safety and order. Citizens' arrests cannot be made for minor traffic infractions or other incidents that do not constitute a breach of the peace. Arrested by a Cop Outside of Their Jurisdiction? Talk to a Tampa Criminal Lawyer!While the issue of an arrest by an officer outside of their jurisdiction doesn’t come up often, when it does, it can present serious complications that are best understood and reviewed with your attorney. Citizens' arrests and arrests by officers from other jurisdictions can present opportunities to build weaknesses in the prosecuting attorney’s case and could even result in it being thrown out of court. As Tampa criminal defense lawyers with more than four decades of experience and thousands of cases under our belts, we at Thomas & Paulk understand how Florida law applies to arrests outside of a police officer’s jurisdiction, when this is allowed, and when it is not. Contact us today to learn more. Can a cop pull you over in a different county Georgia?Georgia Supreme Court: Police cannot make traffic arrests outside their jurisdictions. Tracy Armbruster. ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled police officers across the state are no longer allowed to make traffic arrests outside their department's jurisdiction.
What is meant by fresh pursuit?Fresh pursuit is also known as hot pursuit or immediate pursuit, and means that the police officers have the right to conduct a continuous pursuit beyond their own jurisdiction in order to apprehend a suspect.
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