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 Wyoming, a waiver of extradition means that an individual who has been arrested in Wyoming agrees to be transferred to another state or jurisdiction without contesting the extradition process. This waiver can significantly expedite the transfer, as it eliminates the need for an extradition hearing and the associated legal procedures. When a defendant signs a waiver of extradition, they are consenting to be returned to the requesting jurisdiction to face charges. This process is governed by both Wyoming statutes and the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, which Wyoming has adopted. The waiver must be made knowingly and voluntarily, often in the presence of an attorney, to ensure that the defendant understands the rights they are relinquishing by waiving extradition.