Can you still be charged if the police let you go?

Yes, if the police let you go you can still be charged later. But how common is that? It depends on the nature of the charge. With a speeding ticket like the example above, it is fairly unlikely.

Can a police officer hold off on making an arrest?

In cases involving misdemeanors or felonies, it is not uncommon at all for officers to hold off on an arrest or charge. Most of the time, this is done to give law enforcement time to complete the investigation into an alleged crime. Sometimes officers must wait for the results of DNA tests or blood alcohol concentration.

How long does it take to get arrested for a crime?

Every state is different, but in many jurisdictions, the answer is one year. But what about more serious charges? In cases involving misdemeanors or felonies, it is not uncommon at all for officers to hold off on an arrest or charge. Most of the time, this is done to give law enforcement time to complete the investigation into an alleged crime.

Can a police officer write you a ticket without a citation?

That doesn’t mean its impossible, but because you weren’t issued a citation at the time you were stopped, the officer would have to find another way to give you notice of the charges and of the date of your court appearance. One way this could be done is for the officer to track you down at your home or your work and write you a ticket then.

What happens when a police officer writes you a ticket?

When an officer writes you a ticket, he will ask that you sign it before giving you a copy. This signature doesn’t mean you are accepting you did something wrong; it is acknowledging you received the ticket and the notice of your court date. It is also a promise that you will appear on that date.

Can you go to jail for running a red light?

It depends in part on what you’re being cited for. In cities that have traffic light cameras, it is common for the city to mail the owners of vehicles who are caught running red lights tickets. This is possible in part because city ordinances don’t carry the risk of jail time.

Can you be charged with a crime months after being committed?

The quick answer is Yes, you can be charged with a crime months after is it committed. There are however, statutes of limitations which bar the charging of criminal acts after a prescribed period of time has elapsed. Different criminal violations have different statutes of limitations.