# Justice Manual § 9-69.400: Fugitive Felon Act—18 U.S.C. § 1073

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.400

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-69.400
- **Heading:** Fugitive Felon Act—18 U.S.C. § 1073
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-69.000 - Protection Of Government Processes / Justice Manual § 9-69.400

## Text

Though drawn as a penal statute, and therefore permitting prosecution by the Federal government for its violation, the primary purpose of the Fugitive Felon Act is to permit the Federal government to assist in the location and apprehension of fugitives from state justice. No prior Criminal Division approval is required to authorize unlawful flight complaints in aid of the states. However, the statute expressly requires "formal approval in writing" by a designated Department official before a UFAP violation can be actually prosecuted in federal court. See
JM 9-69.460
. For information regarding use of a grand jury to locate a fugitive, see
JM 9-11.120
.

Since the primary purpose of the Act is to assist the states in apprehending fugitives from state justice, the Act should not be applied to the interstate or international flight of federal fugitives.

Agents and prosecutors can also contact the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, the Department’s point of contact for securing the return of fugitives overseas, at (202) 514-0000.
See
JM 9-15.000
.

[updated January 2020]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-69.010 Introduction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.010.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.100 Protection of Government Processes—Obstruction of Justice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.200 Perjury and False Declarations Before Grand Jury or Court—Prosecution Policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.200.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.300 Prison Offenses (18 U.S.C. § § 1791-1793)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.300.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.400 Fugitive Felon Act—18 U.S.C. § 1073](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.400.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.420 Prerequisites to Issuance of Federal Complaint in Aid of States](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.420.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.421 Parental Kidnapping](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.421.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.422 Unlawful Flight Warrants for Juvenile Offenders](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.422.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.430 Unlawful Flight to Avoid Custody or Confinement After Conviction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.430.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.440 Unlawful Flight to Avoid Giving Testimony](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.440.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.460 Federal Information; Indictment; Removal —Approval Required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.460.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-69.502 Escape from Custody Resulting from Conviction (18 U.S.C. § § 751 and 752)—Prosecution Policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.502.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.400. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.