What is the primary definition of extradition?

The primary definition of extradition refers to the legal process by which one state or jurisdiction surrenders an individual charged with a criminal offense to another state where the offense allegedly took place. This is essential for ensuring that individuals who are wanted for serious crimes can be apprehended and brought to justice, regardless of where they may attempt to evade prosecution.

Extradition serves to facilitate cooperation between jurisdictions, ensuring that offenders cannot escape legal accountability simply by crossing state or national borders. This process usually requires a formal agreement or treaty between the involved jurisdictions and can involve various legal and procedural steps depending on the laws in each area.

In contrast, other definitions provided disrupt the core concept of extradition; they do not involve the formal surrender process that defines extradition. For example, the release of a prisoner in their home state does not entail handing them over to another jurisdiction, the transfer of property across state lines is purely a civil process disconnected from criminal proceedings, and appealing a conviction in another state involves a separate legal concept entirely, focusing on due process rather than the act of surrendering an accused individual.