Extradition to Florida

Recent Case Result for an Extradition from Hillsborough County to Another State

On October 28, 2024, our client was arrested at his home in Hillsborough County, FL, on an out-of-state fugitive warrant. We were retained the next day, right before the 1:30 p.m. first appearance hearing. We argued that the criminal report affidavit (CRA) lacked probable cause because it contained no description of any facts explaining why our client was the same person identified in the out-of-state warrant. Nothing in the CRA disclosed what the out-of-state charges were or when they were allegedly committed. We also filed a bond motion right before the hearing.

That day, the court agreed to ROR our client with a private GPS monitor and asked us to return to court in two days when more information might be available to the state attorney’s office. During those two days, we made contact with the out-of-state prosecutor and got them to agree in writing that our client could “self-surrender” the following week. When we returned to court in Hillsborough County on October 31, 2024, the state had no objection to our client remaining out of custody and voluntarily traveling to the other state to surrender in order to avoid extradition.

On November 1, 2024, the Honorable J. Logan Murphy entered an “Order of Release” on the Extradition Warrant which provided:

Because the information necessary to place conditions of release on Defendant …. after examination in this fugitive case has not been presented to the Court, Defendant …shall be RELEASED and all conditions of release (including a private GPS and any restrictions on travel) shall be LIFTED. ss. 941.13, 941.14, 941.15, Fla. Stat. (2024); France v. Judd, 932 So. 2d 1263 (Fla. 2d DCA 2006).

This order does not dismiss this fugitive case, which shall remain open. The Court will enter a more detailed order addressing all of [Defendant’s] pending charges and the future progress of this case. See Carterv. Coleman, 443 So. 2d 491, 493 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984) (“[A] discharge from bond or custody does not mean dismissal of all extradition proceedings.”).

Disclaimer: The Florida Bar does not approve or routinely review case results posted by attorneys. The facts and circumstances of your case may differ from the facts and circumstances discussed here. Not all case results are listed here or provided. The case results discussed here do not necessarily represent the results obtained in all cases. Each case is different and must be evaluated and handled on its own merit.

What is extradition? Interstate extradition is the process of holding a fugitive in custody in one state so that the authorities can transport the person back to the state where the arrest warrant is outstanding.

Regarding the extradition process, the term “fugitive” is defined as a person charged with a felony or misdemeanor crime who has fled from justice to another state or county.

A person might be classified as a “fugitive” even though they never fled the state for the purpose of avoiding prosecution. Likewise, being a fugitive doesn’t necessarily require that the person conceal his or her whereabouts from the authorities.

We are often asked: “Does Florida extradite on a felony warrant?”

The short answer is: “Yes.” Florida does extradite a fugitive to and from other states on a felony warrant. The procedure is supposed to take about 30 days, but the court can grant an additional 60-day extension during an extradition hearing.

Florida has adopted the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (UCEA) and is NOT considered a “non-extradition state.” All 50 states in the United States will extradite a fugitive from one state to another under the right circumstances. At last count, only two states have not formally adopted the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (UCEA).

Another frequently asked question is: “How long does the extradition process take?”

The short answer is “about 30 days, but it might take longer.”

A person charged with having committed a crime in another state may be held up to thirty (30) days before receipt of a formal request for extradition from the state having jurisdiction over the offense and the issuance of a warrant of extradition by the Governor of this state. See § 941.15, Fla. Stat.

After the Section 941.15 time limit of 30 days expires, Section 941.17 allows for an extension of time of commitment. Florida law provides;

“If the accused is not arrested under a warrant of the Governor by the expiration of the time specified in the warrant or bond, a judge may discharge the accused or may recommit him or her for a further period not to exceed 60 days.”

After these 90 days, if the defendant is not arrested under the governor’s warrant, the trial court must discharge the defendant on the fugitive warrant and release him from jail.

The policy behind extradition is to discourage people from fleeing to another jurisdiction to avoid the criminal justice system. The extradition laws also give a person an incentive to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction where the warrant is pending to surrender.

Remember that if the authorities want you on an outstanding warrant in another state, federal law prohibits you from possessing a firearm or ammunition. The fugitive warrant will interfere with your ability to find a job or secure many government benefits.

Attorneys for Extradition to and from Florida

The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent men and women on fugitive arrest warrants awaiting extradition back to Florida to answer felony criminal charges. If our client is being held in Florida for extradition to another state, we can help them petition the court for an “extradition bond” to secure their release from custody.

Our main office is located in downtown Tampa in Hillsborough County, FL. We have a second office in New Port Richey in Pasco County, FL. Sometimes, a person can avoid interstate extradition back to Florida by hiring an attorney to request the court dismiss the underlying charges.

We can help our clients decide whether to “waive extradition” or request an “extradition bond” while awaiting extradition to another state. The four attorneys in our firm are focused exclusively on criminal defense. We represent clients facing extradition to or from Florida throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.

We represent clients facing extradition in Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Hernando County, Pinellas County, Manatee County, and Polk County, Florida. We also represent clients with an outstanding warrant in Pasco County or while awaiting extradition to Pasco County and the surrounding areas.

Call (813) 250-0500 today to discuss your case.

Preliminary Proceedings for Fugitive Warrants in Hillsborough County, FL

According to Administrative Order S-2020-007, signed on January 13, 2020, in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County, FL, the Criminal Division “O” deals with preliminary proceedings, including Interstate cooperation matters under:

• Florida Statutes (fugitive warrants and governor warrants) under chapter 941; and
• Interstate extradition of witnesses under chapter 942, Florida Statutes.

All proceedings in Criminal Division “O” involving hearings in extradition cases are conducted via audiovisual devices and are electronically recorded.

What is an “Extradition Bond” under Section 941.16?

The circuit court where the person is being held while awaiting extradition has the discretion to grant bail to a person detained on an out-of-state warrant pending the issuance of the warrant of extradition unless the offense charged is punishable by death or life imprisonment. See § 941.16, Fla. Stat.

In other words, an accused who is arrested pre-requisition is eligible for bail under section 941.16, Florida Statutes, which provides:

Unless the offense with which the prisoner is charged is shown to be an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment under the laws of the state in which it was committed, a judge or other judicial officer having power of commitment in this state may admit the person arrested to bail by bond, with sufficient sureties, and in such sum as he or she deems proper, conditioned for the prisoner’s appearance before him or her at a time specified in such bond, and for the prisoner’s surrender, to be arrested upon the warrant of the Governor of this state.

Under section 941.16, bail is intended to set conditions to ensure that the prisoner will surrender in Florida should the Governor issue the warrant for extradition.

For this reason, setting a bond in an extradition case is consistent with the general purpose of bail: to ensure the defendant’s appearance at subsequent proceedings in this state. See § 903.046(1), Fla. Stat.

In Nicholas v. Cochran, 673 So.2d 882, 883 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996), the court noted that the purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant’s appearance at subsequent proceedings and to protect the community against unreasonable danger from the defendant.

In an extradition case, the subsequent proceedings are an appearance before the circuit court for surrender, should the Governor issue a warrant for extradition, followed by a habeas hearing at which the legality of the extradition may be tested. See § 941.10(1), Fla. Stat.

In Burkhart v. Jenne, 814 So. 2d 1064 (Fla. 4th DCA 2001), the court found that under section 941.16, a court may not use a bond to short-circuit the extradition procedure.

In that case, a special condition requiring the petitioner to surrender directly to the other state does not ensure the petitioner’s appearance at subsequent proceedings in Florida, rendering the condition inconsistent with the purpose of bail as outlined in section 941.16 and invalid on its face.

In that case, the court partially granted the petition for habeas corpus by striking the trial court’s special condition that the petitioner surrender to the other state officials.

The Uniform Extradition Act, codified in chapter 941, Florida Statutes (2018), gives the judge wide discretion to decide whether to hold a fugitive from justice in custody without bail. See §§ 941.15-.16, Fla. Stat. (2018).

This discretion, however, is restricted by statutory time limits for which a fugitive can be held. Id. These time limits ensure that a defendant will not be held indefinitely. Id.

According to Administrative Order S-2017-066, hearings in extradition cases are heard in Criminal Division “O” at the courthouse in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL, dealing with preliminary proceedings including:

• Bond and release on recognizance motions on extradition cases not assigned to another division;
• Interstate cooperation matters under chapter 941, Florida Statutes (fugitive warrants and governor warrants); and
• lnterstate extradition of witnesses under chapter 942, Florida Statutes.

Does Florida Extradite for Misdemeanor Warrants?

Another frequently asked question is: “Does Florida extradite on a misdemeanor warrant?” The short answer is: “Yes, it can. But usually, it does not.”

Especially for a FTA capias, issued after a failure to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge, the warrant might say: “FULL EXTRADITION; OTHER WARRANT CONDITION.”

As a practical matter, Florida will only extradite on a felony warrant. It rarely extradites on a misdemeanor warrant (except for a few limited exceptions). Florida will, however, transport a person from one county in Florida to another on a misdemeanor warrant.

For example, if you have a “no bond” warrant out of Pasco County, FL, but you get picked up in Hillsborough County, then you will be held in Hillsborough County on an “out of county” hold. You will then be brought to Pasco County, where you will be booked into the jail on the warrant.

Many people arrested on a misdemeanor warrant in Florida are arrested during a routine traffic stop, at the airport, or boarding a cruise ship in the Tampa Bay area. Arrests also occur at the bus station or train station. Sometimes, the police will come to your home or work to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.

Find out more about the consequences of being a fugitive from justice related to your ability to purchase or possess a firearm or ammunition.

Read more about extradition cases in federal court.

The Prosecutor’s Discretion in Extradition Cases

The decision of whether or not to seek the return of a fugitive from another jurisdiction should rest in the sound discretion of the local prosecutor.

In exercising this discretion, the prosecutor may consider criteria including, but not limited to, the following:

1. The disposition that can reasonably be expected if the fugitive is returned and convicted;
2. The nature of the proceeding for which the fugitive’s return is sought;
3. The future effect of the prosecutor’s decision as an indication of policy;
4. The current status of the defendant;
5. The expense involved in transportation; and
6. The likelihood of conviction once the fugitive inmate is returned to Florida.

While this decision is being made, an attorney can contact the prosecutor to show them why the prosecutor should decide not to extradite the inmate.

In some cases, your attorney might even be able to persuade the prosecutor to drop the charges entirely, especially when the case is particularly old and the chances for a successful prosecution are slim.

In extradition cases, the law enforcement agency or the state attorney’s office that obtains the warrant will indicate whether they will extradite the subject from some areas of the United States if placed in NCIC. Those regions include Region A, Region B, Region C, Region D, Region E, Region F, Region G, Region H, Continental U.S., and International.

What are the Rules for Extradition in Florida?

The extradition laws in Florida provide for a process of bringing a person arrested out of state on a fugitive warrant back to this state of Florida to answer the criminal charges.

Many people sit in jail for weeks or months, not knowing they have options that might help them avoid extradition.

If you have a fugitive warrant, then contact an attorney in the area where the warrant originated first. (You might also decide to retain an attorney in the jurisdiction where you are being detained so that bail or bond can be set for your release if no relief is granted in the state that issued the warrant.)

The Court that issued the warrant in Florida can also consider lifting the warrant temporarily or setting a reasonable bond and allowing you to voluntarily return to Florida to surrender on the warrant.

If you waive extradition, you may be held in custody until authorities from the State of Florida come to get you. The timeline might take longer if you fight extradition.

Either way, you might be held in custody for up to 30 days (or possibly as long as 90 days total) to permit the State of Florida to begin extradition proceedings against you and schedule the transportation.

Depending on the circumstances, the courts in Florida have several options to release you from custody so that you can avoid extradition. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you resolve your case. Find out more about the possibility of avoiding the costly and time-consuming process of extradition.

Your attorney can also help you resolve the underlying felony charges as quickly as possible while still protecting all of your rights to fight the underlying charges aggressively.

No matter your circumstances, contact a criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm to discuss your case. Call (813) 250-0500.

How Extradition Impacts the Statute of Limitations

Does the extradition process impact the statute of limitations? Section 775.15(5)(b), Fla. Stat., provides: “the failure to execute process on or to extradite a defendant in another state who has been charged by information with a crime shall not constitute an unreasonable delay.”

Additionally, Section 775.15(6), Fla. Stat., provides:

“the period of limitation does not run during any time when a defendant is continuously out of state . . ., and that this provision shall not extend the time beyond three (3) years, but shall not be construed to limit the prosecution of a defendant who has been timely charged by information and who has not been arrested due to his absence from the state . . .”

Two Types of Florida Extradition Warrants

This article discusses two of the most common situations in which a fugitive warrant requires extradition from one state to another: 

• Old Violation of Probation Warrant – An individual is on probation in Florida. The individual moves out of state. The Court in Florida issues a warrant for violation of probation. Florida puts out a notice on the NCIC that it will extradite the individual to Florida if the individual is arrested on a fugitive warrant in another state. The individual is eventually arrested in another state on a fugitive warrant. While awaiting extradition, the individual will sit in jail.

• An extradition lawyer can petition the court in Florida asking to temporarily withdraw the warrant so that the individual cnban be released from jail in the other state, and then voluntarily drive himself to Florida to surrender directly to the court to resolve the case.

• In some of these cases, the judge may just decide to withdraw the warrant and terminate the probation so that the individual never has to return to Florida to answer the charges that he violated probation. This is the best outcome but it usually requires some extraordinary showing that the violation of probation warrant is extremely old, and that the individual has turned his life around and become a productive member of society without any new arrests. It also helps to make sure that all outstanding restitution, court costs and cost of supervision are paid in full.

• Although difficult in most cases, an extradition lawyer in the area where the defendant is being held while awaiting extradition, can petition the court to allow the defendant to post bond on the fugitive warrant. (Usually it is more productive to hire an attorney in the area where the warrant was issued instead of an attorney in the area where the defendant is being held while awaiting extradition).

• The benefit of avoiding extradition is that the individual can avoid being required to reimburse Florida for the cost of extradition, which typically costs more than $2,000.00 but can run much higher. The individual may be able to avoid posting bond or paying a premium to the bail bondsman. Of course, the individual can avoid sitting in jail while awaiting extradition, avoid the actual extradition bus ride to Florida, and avoid sitting in jail in Florida while waiting for his first court date.

• Felony Warrant on Criminal Charges – An individual is accused of a crime because of some incident that occurred in the State of Florida. After the incident, the individual moves out of state. A judge in Florida issues a warrant for the individual’s arrest. Notice of the warrant is sent to the NCIC and FCIC (national and Florida databases of information on criminal records and outstanding warrants). The individual is picked up in another state and held on a fugitive warrant.

• An attorney can petition the court in Florida to withdraw the fugitive warrant to avoid extradition.

• An attorney can contact the prosecutor to begin working on defending the criminal case, including asking to have the charges dropped, or filing a motion to suppress or a motion to dismiss the criminal accusation. Additionally, the attorney can work with the prosecutor to stipulate to setting a reasonable bond if the court is unwilling to withdraw the warrant.

• Although difficult in most cases, an attorney in the area where you are being held can petition the court to allow you to post bond on the fugitive warrant. This is usually the least desirable option because it is usually more efficient to hire an attorney in the area where the warrant was issued. In some cases, the client may want to hire an attorney in both jurisdictions if he intends to fight extradition.

• The same benefits of avoiding extradition discussed above apply: avoiding any need to repay Florida the money it cost to extradite you, avoiding posting bond, avoiding sitting in jail for months while awaiting extradition, and avoiding sitting in jail in Florida on the criminal charges.

The Cost of Extradition to Florida

Extradition costs are imposed and enforced as costs of the prosecution under sections 938.27 and 938.30. For example, in Thompson v. State, 699 So.2d 329 (Fla. 2d DCA 1997), the court held that extradition costs are the costs of the prosecution.

Therefore, as a criminal sanction in a criminal case, violation of probation (VOP) case, or violation of community control (VOCC) case, the court can order that the defendant pay the costs of extradition as part of the criminal punishment imposed.

Some courts will impose the extradition costs as a civil lien.

The Extradition Clause in the Florida Constitution

The Extradition Clause provides a procedure for returning a person accused of a crime in one state who is present in another state.

The original authority for interstate extradition is the United States Constitution, Article IV, Section 2, Clause 2, which provides as follows:

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

Illegal Abduction from Another Nation with an Extradition Treaty

Sometimes, your attorney will fight the case because the defendant was illegally transported to the United States for trial.

If the prosecutors in the jurisdiction where the pending case violates the extradition treaty between another county and the United States, then the defense attorney might be able to file a motion to dismiss the case because of these violations.

The United States Supreme Court in United States v. Alvarez-Machain, 504 U.S. 655, 657 (1992), held that “a criminal defendant, abducted to the United States from a nation with which it has an extradition treaty, [does not] thereby acquire[ ] a defense to the jurisdiction of this country’s courts.”

In other words, the power of a court to try a person for a crime is not necessarily impaired by the fact that the defendant has been brought within the court’s jurisdiction because of a forcible abduction.

The courts have found that there is nothing in the Constitution that requires a court to permit a guilty person rightfully convicted to escape justice because he was brought to trial against his will. Serrano v. State, 64 So. 3d 93, 107-08 (Fla. 2011).

The Uniform Criminal Extradition Act

Congress implemented this provision through 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3182 (1985), which provides for interstate cooperation in the apprehension and delivery of fugitives on demand from the executive authority of the requesting state, district, or territory from which the person fled.

Every state in the United States has adopted provisions of the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (UCEA). The UCEA provides for a more uniform process for one state to demand the surrender of a person in another state who is accused of a crime.

Each state has slightly different requirements under the UCEA. However, the extradition act generally provides the following requirements:

1. The demanding state must issue a valid arrest warrant;
2. The Governor or other executive authority of the demanding state must make a written request;
3. The person awaiting extradition is entitled to a hearing and representation by an attorney;
4. Extradition may be waived by the person accused;
5. If extradition is not waived, then the court must make certain findings on the request for extradition to ensure compliance with all legal requirements;
6. The demanding state must take custody and transport the person accused within 30 days.

The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 1926 created the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act. After being amended in 1932 and 1936, it was withdrawn by the Conference in 1980, when it adopted the Uniform Extradition and Rendition Act. To date, only North Dakota has adopted the latter uniform law.

For more information about the extradition laws of Florida or to obtain an attorney to represent an individual awaiting extradition from another state, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm to discuss the case at (813) 250-0500.

Private Prisoner Transport Companies for Extradition to Florida

The private prisoner transport company must comply with the Department of Justice Policies for Interstate Transportation of Dangerous Criminals (also known as “Jeanna’s Act”) for inmates transported to Florida.

Title 28 for Judicial Administration, PART 97— Standards for Private Entities Providing Prisoner or Detainee Service.

The DOJ Policies provide minimum security and safety standards for private companies transporting violent prisoners on behalf of State and local jurisdictions. Jeanna’s Act sets standards minimum standards for:

• employee uniform and identification;
• standards to ensure the safety of violent prisoners during transport;
• guard to prisoner ratio;
• maximum driving time;
• notification of local law enforcement before scheduled stops;
• clothing requirements for transported violent prisoners;
• immediate notification of local law enforcement in the event of an escape;
• pre-employment screening; and
• employee training.

These companies provide inmate transfer services seven (7) days a week—both by ground and air. For longer distances, transporting a prisoner by air may be more efficient and cost-effective.

In those cases, the private prisoner transport company can partner with commercial airlines to safely and securely move prisoners from one location to another.

Companies in Florida include US Prisoner Transport in Melbourne, Florida, and State Extraditions. Inc., in Longwood, FL.

Procedures for Out-of-State Felony Extradition Warrants

What is the process to detain someone in Hillsborough County with an out of state felony warrant?

After an arrest, the officer might be notified by the Communications Section of his agency that the person has an NCIC “hit.” The Communications Section will then send a teletype to the wanting agency to confirm that a warrant or capias is in existence and to determine if the agency will extradite the wanted person.

If confirmation that a warrant or capias is in existence cannot be made, or confirmation that the agency will not extradite is made, the person will be released.

If the warrant or capias is confirmed, the arrest will be made. If the wanting agency does not respond to the teletype within a reasonable time, the officer may contact the agency by telephone.

The arrest will be made if extradition cannot be confirmed and the warrant is valid. After the arrest on the out-of-state felony warrant, a Criminal Report Affidavit (CRA) will be completed listing the offense as “Fugitive” under Florida Statute Section 941.14 for an “arrest without a warrant.”

The probable cause section of the CRA will include the charge and the fact that the arrest was based upon a warrant or capias, the warrant or capias number, the name of the wanting agency, and the method of identification of the person.

The name of the person who confirmed the warrant, in addition to the telephone number of the agency and the time the confirmation was made, will also be documented in the probable cause section of the affidavit.

All inquiries regarding the extradition arrangement will be forwarded to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. When the officer decides to originate a separate offense report, it is entitled “Fugitive.”

Read more about extradition procedures in Orange County, FL.

Is Hearsay Admissible in Extradition Proceedings?

According to C. Ehrhardt, Florida Evidence, §103.1 (2011 Edition), hearsay is admissible in several proceedings by rule, judicial decision, or statute. Professor Ehrhardt discusses examples of such proceedings in his treatise, Ehrhardt’s Florida Evidence, and includes extradition proceedings.

Sample Form for Waiver of Extradition

Waiver of Extradition to Florida

I,  ________, hereby agree and consent to return to the State of Florida to answer felony criminal charges for _______ and ______.

I certify that the Undersigned Judge of _________, fully advised me at the time I appeared before him of my rights as follows:

1. To demand and procure counsel;
2. To have counsel appointed to represent me, if I do so desire;
3. To test the legality of my arrest;
4. To contest extradition to Florida;
5. To apply for a writ of Habeas Corpus as provided by law.
6. To apply for bail if eligible. I understand that I will be held without bond pending extradition.

I hereby waive all rights to contest extradition and consent to accompany an authorized representative of the State of Florida as a prisoner and return with him/her to that State for further proceedings of the charge(s).

_____________

Signature of the Defendant

_____________

Date waiver of extradition form signed

I hereby certified that the foregoing waiver of extradition form was signed in my presence by the above person after being informed of his/her rights by me, stated that he/she is the individual mentioned on the above charge(s), that the forgoing form was executed freely, voluntarily, and without compulsion, and with full knowledge of his/her rights as provided by law.

________

Signature of Witness

What the Judge Might Say During the Extradition Colloquy

Judges are given scripts to recite, including an extradition colloquy that provides:

Good Morning. You have been arrested on a detainer from the State of ______________. This is your first appearance in this State, and we are here today to advise you of your rights, advise you of the reason you are in custody, and determine whether any conditions of release will be imposed on your case.

At the end of this hearing, you are going to be asked whether you wish to waive extradition, which means agreeing to go back to the State of _________ to face the charges, or whether you wish to fight extradition, which means fight going back to the State of _________.

I am going to explain to you the consequences of each of those decisions in a moment.

You have been arrested on a detainer from the State of __________ for the crime of __________.

(The court might then appoint the office of the public defender and find probable cause for continuing the detention pending extradition).

On to the extradition process. If you choose to fight extradition, I will sign an order holding you here for 30 days. This 30 day period can be extended for up to an additional 60 days if needed.

During this time period the Governor of the State of __________ will send some paperwork to the Governor of the State of Florida who will then generate an arrest warrant for you.

Once you are served with the warrant, you can challenge it on three specific grounds, and only these grounds.

The first is you are not the person named in the warrant.

The second is you were not in the State of ________ at the time of the commission of the alleged offense.

The third is there is something technically wrong with the paperwork.

After you advise the State of Florida of the grounds upon which you challenge the warrant, they will have a few weeks to get their evidence together. We will then have a hearing where, if the paperwork is in order, you will have the burden of showing that you are not the person named in the warrant, or that there is something technically wrong with the paperwork.

If you win that hearing because you were not the person named in the warrant, or you were not in the State of _________ at the time of the commission of the offense, you will be released, and we here in ________ County will not arrest you on this detainer again.

If you win because there was something technically wrong with the paperwork, we will release you, but you can literally be rearrested as soon as you walk out the jailhouse door, and the whole process can start over again.

You also need to know if you get returned to the State of _________ after an extradition hearing, and receive some sort of jail sentence there, you will not get any credit in the State of ________ for the time you fought extradition here in Florida.

If you decide to waive extradition and agree to return to the State of ___________, I will sign an order to have them pick you up within 30 days. If they fail to pick you up within 30 days, you can petition the court for release, or bond to be set.

You do get credit for any time you spend here in Florida against any jail sentence in the State of _________ beginning from the date you waive extradition and agree to return.

Can you tell me whether you wish to fight extradition or waive extradition today?

(now set all conditions of release, if any)

IF THE DEFENDANT WAIVES EXTRADITION: the Judge MUST witness the signature of the Defendant’s waiver and confirm no one has pressured, threatened, or coerced the Defendant into signing the waiver.

Additional Resources

Extradition Laws in the United States – Visit the website of the Florida Senate to find information on interstate extradition, proposed extradition agreements, procedures, and time limits under Florida’s Chapter 941 regarding interstate cooperation in Statute Sections 941.01-941.42. Read more about the process for the extradition of witnesses.

Another Death on a For-Profit Extradition Vehicle to Florida – Read more about people who are injured, sexually assaulted or die while being transported on a fugitive warrant between states in a for-profit extradition vehicle. Learn more about prisoner transportation services and trips to Florida with inmates during the extradition process.

Finding a Lawyer for an Extradition Hearing in Hillsborough County, FL

If you or a loved one are awaiting extradition back to Hillsborough County, FL, or the surrounding counties in the greater Tampa Bay area, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm. Our clients exercise their rights to their voluntary extradition under the Interstate Agreement on Detainers Act.

We represent clients on felony warrants in Florida and felony violation of probation cases.

We also help clients file a petition for writ of habeas corpus, an extraordinary writ created to provide a prompt judicial determination of the legality of the detention of the alleged fugitive if relief is denied at the initial extradition hearing. The petition for a writ of habeas corpus can be used to challenge the extradition proceedings.

For the past ten years, our main office has been located at the same location in downtown Tampa, FL. We recently opened a second office in New Port Richey in Pasco County across from the West Pasco Judicial Center courthouse. We fight the underlying charges so our clients can be released from custody quickly.

Contact us to discuss your case with an experienced attorney who can help you understand all options available to fight the case at an extradition hearing.

Call (813) 250-0500.

This article was last updated on Friday, November 1, 2024.