Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
Whenever any foreign country or territory, or any part thereof, is occupied by or under the control of the United States, any person who, having violated the criminal laws in force therein by the commission of any of the offenses enumerated below, departs or flees from justice therein to the United States, shall, when found therein, be liable to arrest and detention by the authorities of the United States, and on the written request or requisition of the military governor or other chief executive officer in control of such foreign country or territory shall be returned and surrendered as hereinafter provided to such authorities for trial under the laws in force in the place where such offense was committed.
(1) Murder and assault with intent to commit murder;
(2) Counterfeiting or altering money, or uttering or bringing into circulation counterfeit or altered money;
(3) Counterfeiting certificates or coupons of public indebtedness, bank notes, or other instruments of public credit, and the utterance or circulation of the same;
(4) Forgery or altering and uttering what is forged or altered;
(5) Embezzlement or criminal malversation of the public funds, committed by public officers, employees, or depositaries;
(6) Larceny or embezzlement of an amount not less than $100 in value;
(7) Robbery;
(8) Burglary, defined to be the breaking and entering by nighttime into the house of another person with intent to commit a felony therein;
(9) Breaking and entering the house or building of another, whether in the day or nighttime, with the intent to commit a felony therein;
(10) Entering, or breaking and entering the offices of the Government and public authorities, or the offices of banks, banking houses, savings banks, trust companies, insurance or other companies, with the intent to commit a felony therein;
(11) Perjury or the subornation of perjury;
(12) A felony under chapter 109A of this title;
(13) Arson;
(14) Piracy by the law of nations;
(15) Murder, assault with intent to kill, and manslaughter, committed on the high seas, on board a ship owned by or in control of citizens or residents of such foreign country or territory and not under the flag of the United States, or of some other government;
(16) Malicious destruction of or attempt to destroy railways, trams, vessels, bridges, dwellings, public edifices, or other buildings, when the act endangers human life.
This chapter, so far as applicable, shall govern proceedings authorized by this section. Such proceedings shall be had before a judge of the courts of the United States only, who shall hold such person on evidence establishing probable cause that he is guilty of the offense charged.
No return or surrender shall be made of any person charged with the commission of any offense of a political nature.
If so held, such person shall be returned and surrendered to the authorities in control of such foreign country or territory on the order of the Secretary of State of the United States, and such authorities shall secure to such a person a fair and impartial trial.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - 18 U.S.C. § 3185 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 18. Crimes and Criminal Procedure § 3185. Fugitives from country under control of United States into the United States - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-18-crimes-and-criminal-procedure/18-usc-sect-3185/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)