Extradition, << `ehks` truh DIHSH uhn, >> is the handing over by one state or country to another of people accused of crimes. The word extradition comes from two Latin words meaning out of and delivering up.
In early times, people who committed crimes were able to escape punishment by fleeing to another country. But in the late 1700’s, nations began to arrange extradition treaties among themselves. Such treaties provide that proper authorities must return people accused of certain crimes to the country in which they committed the crimes at the demand of that country.
Ordinarily, people cannot be extradited for political crimes. Today, many countries will refuse to extradite a person if the country objects to the potential penalties the demanding country may impose. The United States holds extradition treaties with many countries. The United States Constitution provides that any state shall, on demand of another state, extradite a person accused of a crime.
