A waiver of extradition occurs when a defendant who is arrested and held in one state, country, territory, or other jurisdiction voluntarily waives the right to challenge extradition to another state, country, territory, or jurisdiction to be prosecuted or stand trial for a criminal offense in that other state, country, territory, or jurisdiction. If such a defendant waives extradition, he or she will be returned to the requesting jurisdiction without the need for an extradition hearing and the related procedures.

In Alaska, as in other states, a waiver of extradition means that an individual who has been arrested can consent to be transferred to another jurisdiction without contesting the extradition process. This waiver simplifies the legal proceedings by eliminating the need for an extradition hearing, which would otherwise determine whether the individual should be legally surrendered to the requesting state or jurisdiction. When a defendant waives extradition, they are agreeing to be returned voluntarily to face charges in the place where the alleged crime was committed. The process is governed by both Alaska state law and the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, which Alaska has adopted. This Act provides a standardized legal framework for the extradition process between states. It's important for defendants to understand that waiving extradition is a legal decision with significant consequences, and they should typically consult with an attorney before making such a decision.