I was reading about this Hsu guy who fled California and ended up in Colorado. He waived extradition, which made me wonder why he even had the option. I know what extradition is and I understand its usage internationally. What I don't get is why we have extradition within the United States. Can someone explain that to me? Fleeing across the border to Mexico is a totally different thing than fleeing to Colorado.

I was reading about this Hsu guy who fled California and ended up in Colorado. He waived extradition, which made me wonder why he even had the option. I know what extradition is and I understand its usage internationally. What I don't get is why we have extradition within the United States. Can someone explain that to me? Fleeing across the border to Mexico is a totally different thing than fleeing to Colorado.

Murder in one state, then get thrown in prison in another state for assault. That is why, so people can't escape more serious punishments by getting caught for lesser ones. Also, just as nations are equally sovereign, so are states equals under federal law. One state can't just demand a prisoner, they have to request them. Such a request does not have to be honored, but of course usually is.

Extradiction in the usa, iirc, is mostly a matter of proving identity.