Extradition is the process during which a country or state surrenders or retrieves a fugitive from another country or state. As the best Connecticut criminal extradition lawyers know, every state—and every country—maintains their own extradition laws that govern that particular criminal justice system’s rights and obligations to either produce a fugitive from justice to Connecticut, or request that someone arrested in Connecticut be returned to that particular state or country. Among states, it’s a very clear process, which requires a “Governor’s warrant” to be filed with the outside state. Among countries, it’s a bit more complicated.
But no matter where in the country or world you are, you have right to fight a Connecticut extradition case, so keep reading to understand the process and protect yourself or your family member from a protracted extradition process…
If Connecticut has an active warrant out for your arrest and you’ve been arrested in another State, then arresting Connecticut police agency can request that you be detained for up to 30 days in the other state while Connecticut prosecutors decide whether they will extradite you. During that time, you may or may not be permitted to post bond and get out of jail, but you can call a top Connecticut criminal extradition lawyer who will work with your out-of-state criminal lawyer to decide whether you should challenge your extradition. At the same time, if Connecticut wants to extradite you, then Connecticut law enforcement will submit a “Governor’s Warrant” to the other state to commence the extradition process. It’s a lengthy and protracted process that can have you tied up in an out-of-state jail even if you’re not guilty of the crime charged, or even if the underlying crime is not so serious. So be sure to call any of the best Connecticut extradition criminal lawyers and attorneys for advice on how to best proceed. And if a family member is facing extradition and has reached out to you from an out of state prison, be sure to provide them with a phone number for a top Stamford or Greenwich Connecticut criminal law firm which can assist them in their extradition case. The out-of-state jail will let them contact a lawyer during weekday business hours.
Extradition to Connecticut from outside the country is much more complicated and your ability to fight extradition to Connecticut depends primarily on the laws of the foreign country. If you know there’s a Connecticut arrest warrant issued for you and you’re living or visiting outside the United States, then be aware that you could be detained and arrested at customs when you enter the United States. Following your arrest by Homeland Security or Border Patrol, you will be jailed until you are extradited through your arrival state to Connecticut. So before traveling, you should contact any of the best Connecticut criminal law firms in Stamford, Greenwich, or Westport Connecticut to learn whether your arrest warrant has been classified as “extraditable” and what to expect if you attempt to enter the United States at any international airport.
There are several countries that do not have treaties with the United States regarding extradition and surrender of fugitives. Time and again, top Connecticut criminal trial lawyers and attorneys see prosecutors try to get evidence of people searching the internet for “non-extraditable or non-extradition countries” in front of a jury, claiming it shows evidence of fleeing and guilt, whatever the charge.
As of the publication of this article, some major countries with which the United States maintains diplomatic relations, but does not have extradition treaties with are: Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Congo, Guinea, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Maldives, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Qatar, Russian Federation, Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
So if Connecticut is trying to extradite you or your loved one, be sure to call any of the experienced Connecticut extradition criminal lawyers at the Mark Sherman Law Firm. We can walk you through the process, provide you with a cost-benefit analysis of fighting the extradition process, and then help expedite and resolve your Connecticut criminal charges once you arrive in Connecticut state or federal court. So if you are facing extradition to Connecticut, click here to read reviews from our past clients on the popular Avvo.com-certified lawyer review website, and then call us today. We are available 24/7 to take your call at (203) 358-4700.