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Simple English definitions for legal terms
extradition
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A quick definition of extradition:
Extradition is when a person who has committed a crime in one place is sent to another place to be punished. This usually happens when countries have agreements with each other. However, some crimes, like political crimes, may not be considered for extradition. In the United States, extradition is based on the Extradition Clause in the Constitution and there are laws that govern the process. Extradition can be a sensitive issue, especially if the punishment in the other place is more severe.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Extradition is the process of transferring a person who has committed a crime in one jurisdiction to another jurisdiction where they will face prosecution or punishment.
Extradition is usually governed by agreements between countries or groups of countries. For example, the European Union has a system of extradition laws. In most cases, extradition will only be granted if the crime committed is also a crime in the requested country. However, there are exceptions, such as political crimes or cases where the individual has already been tried for the same crime.
Under American law, extradition is based on the Extradition Clause in the U.S. Constitution and is implemented by Title 18, Sect. 3182 of the US Code. The Uniform Criminal Extradition Act is also used in many states.
Extradition can be a controversial issue, especially when the accused is transferred to a jurisdiction where the penalties are more severe.
Example: A person commits a crime in the United States and then flees to Canada. The United States requests that Canada extradite the person back to the United States to face prosecution for the crime. If Canada agrees, the person will be transferred back to the United States to face trial.
This example illustrates how extradition works between two countries. The United States requests that Canada transfer the person back to the United States to face prosecution for the crime committed in the United States.