looking over my shoulder

What is the name of your state? kansas
about a year and a half ago i was charged with the theft of money and property from the convienence store i worked at in PA.
my public defender advised me to plead guilty and take a few months probation, i did, and before i was sentenced i took a trip to new mexico. i did not end up making it back. needless to say a warrant was issued for my arrest, and a year ago in kansas i was pulled over for expired tags and taken to jail for the warrant. apparently Pa. decided not to extradite me and sent me on my way. the amount i allegedly stole was between 450$ and 500$ i believe. my question is two-fold. one, can they still choose to extradite me to pa if i am stopped by the police again, and two, what's the statue of limitations for this if i was convicted but not sentenced? i am tired of having a nervous breakdown everytime i see a cop and would like to know what to do to resolve this. will some one please help me!!

I am not a lawyer. If you were convicted but not sentenced, I believe you can be extradited. Sentencing requires your presence and that is what they want to do to you - they want your cash. Your conviction was a default judgement based on you not appearing. I believe it was 1990 when PA and several states agreed to laxed inter state extradition and cross state license suspensions. My license was suspended in AL for an unpaid speeding ticket in PA in 1991. They built on that (particularly on the east coast) as a coalitiom law enforcement arrangement.

BUT, the courts are ultimately profit centers (regardless of what you are told) and I do not believe you will be searched for on the basis of a $500.00 fine. 2 choices I would consider:

Take your chances - bad idea, they will catch up and this **** does not go away

Contact the PA court and work out a plan to pay a portion

In my experience, they will suspend your license accross state lines nowadays if you do not contact them. Do a *67 or something, they only want your cash.

I missed one point, The statute of limitations is solely related to convictions. You were convicted, take the statute and throw it out the window - you are a wanted person and the statute of limitations has absolutely nothing to do with sentencing.

Once again, the statute of limitations applies only to individuals who have not been convicted of a crime - and the time frame separating the event from the arrest. Sentencing has nothing to do with it. If you have been convicted, a warrant will be on your ass forever.

i am tired of having a nervous breakdown everytime i see a cop and would like to know what to do to resolve this. will some one please help me!!

First get rid of the car and learn to use public transportation or buy a 10 speed bike.

Unless you are man enough to always have your car registered, always have insurance always have your license NOT suspended....then FIX and damages to you car, like headlights taillights turn signals, windshields......so a cop would have no reason to stop you...

and NO Speeding!**************then you should be fine.

maxim,

That all sounds well and good but trust me, the police can stop you any time for any reason. If you truly believe you are immune from police action because your things are in order - you have not been properly educated. Look up "fervious behavior" and the criteria for "no seatbelt" amongst a host of others. Your language of "should be okay" is exactly right. I do not however live by terms like "should".

If a police officer has a feeling you are up to something, they can and will effect a traffic stop. If after that they uncover warrants or something else, the court will overlook indisctretions for that big carrot. It has happened to me and those I know.

You'll see......