Fugitive

in law. As one State cannot pursue those who violate its laws into the territories of another, the practice prevails among the more enlightened nations of mutually surrendering such fugitives to the justice of the injured State. This practice is founded on national comity and convenience, or on expre compact. The United States recognize the obligation only when it is created by expre agreement. As between the States of the American Union, extradition is made compulsory by the Federal Constitution. In the several States there are statutory provisions or established usages regulating the procedure in such cases.