Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Jursidiction of State Courts?

I'm writing a novel on a serial killer. The killer kidnaps from various states, kills in Colorado, and dumps the bodies in Maryland. He also commited various serial rapes in Massachusetts. Where is trail held and which court system does it?


Asked on 3/20/04, 2:14 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Jursidiction of State Courts?

You have lots of crimes here (kidnapping, rape, murder. Also there are Federal offenses such as kidnapping and interstate flight to avoid prosecution. Study the news reports of the DC sniper trials. Basically each crime is tried in the jurisdiction where it was committed. Whatever state catches the suspect can extradite him to another state, or try him itself. Then other jurisdictions may extradite him and try him. If he gets the death penalty or life without parole somewhere, other states may (or may not) eventually lose interest as trials are expensive.

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Answered on 3/20/04, 10:49 am


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