Arrest at the Salt Lake City Airport

The attorneys at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat, LLP also represent clients arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport which is the 24th-busiest airport in the United States and a hub of Delta Air Lines and SkyWest Airlines. Many of our clients arrested at the airport live out of state and traveled to Salt Lake City on business or vacation.

The Salt Lake City Airport Police Department is separate from the Salt Lake City Police Department, although the two departments share some evidence and record-keeping functions.

The Salt Lake City Airport Police Department (often called the "Airport Authority Police Department" or "SLCPD") is exclusively responsible for law enforcement at the international airport in Salt Lake City.

Attorney for Salt Lake City Airport Arrests

The criminal defense attorneys at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat, LLP in Salt Lake City, UT, are familiar with the standard operating procedures used by the officers when they make an arrest at the airport.

Call (801) 532-5297 today to speak to an attorney at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat, LLP. We can begin your defense today.

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Bringing a Firearm to the Airport in Salt Lake City

One of the most common law enforcement encounters at the airport involves an arrest for bringing a weapon, firearm or handgun into a secure area of the airport. In many of these cases, the person enters the airport without realizing that the firearm, handgun or other weapon is located in their carry-on luggage.

When the person enters the screening checkpoint before boarding the flight, the weapon is discovered by TSA. Even though the person explains that it was an honest mistake because they packed quickly and didn't know about the contraband in the luggage, the police will still make an arrest.

Regardless of whether the person holds a permit to carry a concealed weapon, the investigations often result in an arrest for suspicion of possessing a dangerous weapon or carrying a dangerous weapon in a secured area.

Each year, TSA confiscates dozens of weapons and firearms from visitors to the Salt Lake City International Airport. In fact, 26 guns were confiscated by TSA during the 2011 fiscal year. Although under certain circumstances a passenger may legally transport guns or firearms in their checked luggage, firearms, ammunition, firearm parts, and realistic replicas of firearms are prohibited in carry-on luggage.

Firearms and ammunition may be transported in checked baggage if the passenger declares them to the airline during the check-in process. A handgun, for example, must be unloaded and stored in a locked, hard-sided container.

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Other Police Encounters at the Airport

Other encounters with law enforcement officers at the airport can involve any of the following circumstances:

• possession of marijuana or other controlled substances or drugs;
• disorderly conduct or public intoxication;
• assault or domestic violence;
• the execution of an arrest or fugitive warrant:
• a dispatched call;
• assistance for a stranded motorist;
• a traffic stop for a traffic violation committed in the airport's parking lot or on the airport's property;
• an interrogation or interview in the field;
• an enforcement stop; or
• any crime interdiction stop.

It is important after an arrest at the airport to make sure that all video of the incident is preserved including surveillance video and body-cam video worn by officers involved in the investigation. Your criminal defense attorney can help you obtain the release of video captured by body cameras or mounted surveillance cameras through a discovery request.

Encounters with law enforcement officers working for federal agencies are also common at the airport.

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Finding an Attorney for an Airport Arrest in Salt Lake City

If you were arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat, LLP. Our attorneys are experienced in helping clients living out of state after an arrest for a criminal offense in Utah. We represent clients living out of state with a pending criminal case being prosecuted in Salt Lake City or the surrounding areas in Utah.

Our attorneys are also experienced in representing clients with firearm and weapon charges in both state and federal court. Call today to find out more about what we can do to help you.

Call (801) 532-5297 today to discuss your case.

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