What is the procedure for requesting Extradition from a foreign country?
When local U.S. authorities seek a fugitive, the government is obligated by the Speedy Trial Act to attempt to locate the defendant’s whereabouts as soon as possible and seek extradition immediately. After the prosecutors locate the defendant, they contact the Office of International Affairs (OIA). The Office of International Affairs’ function is to provide information and advice to Federal and State prosecutors about the procedure for requesting extradition from abroad. Once the OIA receives and evaluates an extradition request, it will submit it to the U.S. Department of State. The local U.S. law enforcement officials are not authorized to contact foreign authorities directly. The Department of State will send the extradition documents to the U.S. Embassy in the foreign country. The Embassy then will present the requests to the foreign ministry. The request and supporting documents are then sent to local foreign courts for determining whether the requirements of the treaty and the co
