Virginia Extradition: Nationwide for Felonies; Tri-State Compact with DC/MD

Virginia will extradite to any other U.S. state under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (UCEA) if:

• Demand from demanding state's governor.
• Charge is a felony or crime punishable by >1 year imprisonment.
• Person is found in Virginia.

Process

1. Governor's requisition → Virginia Governor issues arrest warrant.
2. Arrest → hearing before judge (identity, probable cause, procedural regularity).
3. If granted → transport to demanding state (usually by their agents).

Tri-State Compact (VA, MD, DC)

Streamlined procedure among these three: same standards, faster paperwork, direct law-enforcement coordination.

Exceptions (Rare)

• Political offense exception (narrowly construed).
• Already prosecuted in VA for same act (double jeopardy).
• Capital case without death-penalty assurance (VA may refuse).

Virginia takes extradition seriously—very few refusals.