The attorneys at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat, LLP, represent clients arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport, which is the 21st-busiest airport in North America and is served by twelve airlines and their affiliates. 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 Police Airport Bureau is exclusively responsible for law enforcement at the international airport in Salt Lake City. The SLCPD Airport Bureau does everything from enforce regulations on the airfield to supporting federal security directives.
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 the TSA. Even if the person explains that it was an honest mistake and they forgot 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, in 2021, Salt Lake International Airport was in the top 10 airports that had the most confiscated firearms with 115. Under certain circumstances, a passenger may legally transport guns or firearms in their checked luggage, however, 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.
Other encounters with law enforcement officers at the airport can involve any of the following circumstances:
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.
If you were arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat. 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.
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