# Justice Manual § 9-15.210: Role of the Office of International Affairs in Extradition Matters

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.210

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-15.210
- **Heading:** Role of the Office of International Affairs in Extradition Matters
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-15.000 - International Extradition And Related Matters / Justice Manual § 9-15.210

## Text

The Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs (OIA) provides information and advice to Federal and State prosecutors about the procedure for requesting extradition from abroad. OIA also advises and provides support to Federal prosecutors handling foreign extradition requests for fugitives found in the United States.

Every formal request for international extradition based on Federal criminal charges must be reviewed and approved by OIA. At the request of the Department of State, formal requests based on State charges are also reviewed and approved by OIA before submission to the Department of State.

Acting either directly or through the Department of State, OIA initiates all requests for provisional arrest of fugitives pursuant to extradition treaties. Neither prosecutors nor agents are permitted to contact their foreign counterparts to request the arrest of a fugitive for extradition. Unauthorized requests cause serious diplomatic difficulties and may subject the requester to financial liability or other sanctions.

Every extradition treaty is negotiated separately, and each contains different provisions. Experience with one treaty is not a guide to all others. Therefore, after reviewing this section of the Justice Manual, the first step in any extradition case should be to contact OIA. Attorneys in OIA will advise prosecutors about the potential for extradition in a given case and the steps to be followed.

OIA attorneys are subject-matter experts on extradition, and OIA is responsible for ensuring that the government’s position in such cases remains consistent.  Federal prosecutors must consult with OIA regarding issues raised by a fugitive after return to the United States regarding his or her extradition.

[updated April 2018]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-15.100 General Principles Related to Obtaining Fugitives from Abroad](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.200 Procedures For Requesting Extradition From Abroad](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.200.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.210 Role of the Office of International Affairs in Extradition Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.210.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.220 Determination of Extraditability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.220.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.230 Request for Provisional Arrest](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.230.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.240 Documents Required in Support of Request for Extradition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.240.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.250 Procedure After Assembling Documents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.250.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.300 Procedure in the Foreign Country](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.300.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.400 Return of the Fugitive](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.400.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.500 Post Extradition Considerations—Limitations on Further Prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.500.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.600 Alternatives To Extradition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.600.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.610 Deportations, Expulsions, or Other Lawful Methods of Return](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.610.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.630 Lures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.630.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-15.635 Interpol Red Notices](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.635.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-15.210. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.