# Justice Manual § 9-69.420: Prerequisites to Issuance of Federal Complaint in Aid of States

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-69.420

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-69.420
- **Heading:** Prerequisites to Issuance of Federal Complaint in Aid of States
- **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 § 9-69.420

## Text

A complaint for violation of the Fugitive Felon Act should not be authorized unless there is probable cause to believe that the fugitive moved in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent of avoiding a felony prosecution under the laws of the place from which he fled. In addition, it should be clear that the requesting state authorities are determined to take all necessary steps to extradite or otherwise secure the return of the fugitive, and that it is their intention to bring him to trial on the state charge for which he is sought.

In considering requests for issuing complaints under the Act, care should be exercised to prevent use of the Act to assist in enforcement of any state statute with a clearly discriminatory purpose or in the discriminatory application of an otherwise lawful statute. Similarly, caution should be exercised to prevent use of FBI investigative resources to compel discharge of civil obligations. Thus, requests for federal involvement in worthless check violations, or in desertion/non-support cases should be scrutinized carefully.

[cited in
JM 9-69.421
]

## 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_S9-69.420. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.