2427156The New Student's Reference Work — Extradition

Extradition is the surrender of a prisoner accused of a crime by the government in whose dominions he has taken refuge to the government of which he is a subject, so that he may be punished or dealt with according to its laws for an offense committed within its jurisdiction. The crimes for which extradition may be demanded comprise murder, manslaughter, counterfeiting and forgery, embezzlement and larceny, obtaining money or goods on false pretenses, etc. Between this country and Great Britain the offenses number nearly 30 that are extraditable, though political offenses are excluded, as they usually are in all international treaties. Since the assassination of President Garfield provision has been made in the treaties of this country with foreign powers that attempts against the head of the state, in the way of assassination, murder or poisoning, shall not be deemed political offenses, and so they are extraditable. The rendition, in this country, of criminals or fugitives from justice from one state to another is provided for by the constitution; the state making demand for the return of the criminal paying the costs connected with the arrest and surrender of the person extradited.