Non-Extradition States

The matrix of legal and governmental entities across the United States leads to a complex web of interactions when it comes to law enforcement. One field where this complexity is particularly evident is extradition - the official process whereby one jurisdiction surrenders an individual accused or convicted of a crime to another jurisdiction where the crime was committed. Though extradition is largely governed by federal law, each state has its unique approach, and the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (UCEA) serves as a general template. Key findings from the data include:

• 96% of states in the U.S. have adopted the UCEA, illustrating the predilection toward a uniform approach to managing the sensitive issue of extradition.
• States such as South Carolina and Missouri appear to have diverged from the majority, having not adopted the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (UCEA), constructing their extradition laws that align with federal mandates but allow for localized control.
• States like Florida, Alaska, and Hawaii diverge in their approaches to misdemeanor charges. While most states would extradite for any criminal charge, these states do not initiate an extradition process for misdemeanors, likely due to the associated financial burden.
• In the U.S., extradition carries both a legal and an economic component, with financial considerations related to transport and housing costs often influencing a state's decision to extradite, especially in cases involving lesser charges.