42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 91

in effect

42 Pa.C.S. § 9101 Agreement on detainers.

The Agreement on Detainers is hereby enacted into law and entered into by this Commonwealth with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows: Agreement on Detainers The contracting states solemnly agree that:

42 Pa.C.S. § 9102 Appropriate court.

The phrase "appropriate court" as used in the Agreement on Detainers shall mean, with reference to the courts of this Commonwealth, any court of common pleas or the Philadelphia Municipal Court.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9103 Enforcement and cooperation.

All government units of this Commonwealth are hereby directed to enforce the Agreement on Detainers and to cooperate with one another and with other party states in enforcing the agreement and effectuating its purpose.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9104 Second and subsequent offenses.

Nothing in this subchapter or in the Agreement on Detainers shall be construed to require the enhancement of any penalty imposed under the law of this Commonwealth on account of any conviction in another jurisdiction had in a proceeding brought to final disposition by reason of the use of said agreement.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9105 Escape.

Escape from custody while in another state pursuant to the Agreement on Detainers, shall constitute an offense against the laws of this Commonwealth to the same extent and degree as an escape from the institution in which the prisoner was confined immediately prior to having been sent to another state pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement on Detainers, and shall be punishable in the same manner as an escape from such institution.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9106 Duty of warden or other official.

It shall be lawful and mandatory upon the warden or other official in charge of a penal or correctional institution in this Commonwealth to give over the person of any inmate thereof whenever so required by the operation of the Agreement on Detainers.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9107 Administrator and information agent.

The Department of Justice shall serve as central administrator of and information agent for the Agreement on Detainers. References in Text. The Department of Justice, referred to in this section, was reorganized into the Office of Attorney General by the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164).

42 Pa.C.S. § 9108 Transmission of subchapter.

The Department of State shall certify and deliver a copy of this subchapter to the executive authority of each state.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9121 Short title of subchapter.

This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Criminal Extradition Act."

42 Pa.C.S. § 9122 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section: "Executive authority." Includes the Governor and any person performing the functions of Governor in a state other than this Commonwealth. "Governor." Includes any person performing the functions of Governor by authority of the law of this Commonwealth. "State." Includes, when referring to a state other than this Commonwealth, any other state or territory, organized or unorganized, of the United States of America.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9123 Duty of Governor with respect to fugitives from justice.

Subject to the provisions of this subchapter, the provisions of the Constitution of the United States controlling, and any and all acts of Congress enacted in pursuance thereof, it is the duty of the Governor of this Commonwealth to have arrested and delivered up to the executive authority of any other state of the United States any person charged in that state with treason, felony or other crime, who has fled from justice and is found in this Commonwealth.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9124 Form of demand.

No demand for the extradition of a person charged with crime in another state shall be recognized by the Governor unless in writing, alleging, except in cases arising under section 9127 (relating to extradition of persons not present in demanding state at time of commission of crime) that the accused was present in the demanding state at the time of the commission of the alleged crime and that thereafter he fled from the state, and accompanied by a copy of an indictment found or by information supported by affidavit in the state having jurisdiction of the crime or by a copy of an affidavit made before a magistrate there, together with a copy of any warrant which was issued thereupon or by a copy of a judgment of conviction or of a sentence imposed in execution thereof, together with a statement by the executive authority of the demanding state that the person claimed has escaped from confinement or has broken the terms of his bail, probation or parole. The indictment, information or affidavit made before the magistrate must substantially charge the person demanded with having committed a crime under the law of that state, and the copy of indictment, information, affidavit, judgment of conviction or sentence must be authenticated by the executive authority making the demand. Cross References. Section 9124 is referred to in section 9127 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9125 Governor may investigate case.

When a demand shall be made upon the Governor of this Commonwealth by the executive authority of another state for the surrender of a person so charged with crime, the Governor may call upon the Attorney General or any prosecuting officer in this Commonwealth to investigate or assist in investigating the demand and to report to him the situation and circumstances of the person so demanded and whether he ought to be surrendered.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9126 Extradition of persons imprisoned or awaiting trial in another state or who have left the demanding state under compulsion.

(a) Extradition from another state.--When it is desired to have returned to this Commonwealth a person charged in this Commonwealth with a crime, and such person is imprisoned or is held under criminal proceedings then pending against him in another state, the Governor of this Commonwealth may agree with the executive authority of such other state for the extradition of such person before the conclusion of such proceedings or his term of sentence in such other state, upon condition that such person be returned to such other state at the expense of this Commonwealth as soon as the prosecution in this Commonwealth is terminated. (b) Surrender to another state.--The Governor of this Commonwealth may also surrender on demand of the executive authority of any other state any person in this Commonwealth who is charged, in the manner provided in section 9144 (relating to issuance of requisition), with having violated the laws of the state whose executive authority is making the demand, even though such person left the demanding state involuntarily.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9127 Extradition of persons not present in demanding state at time of commission of crime.

The Governor of this Commonwealth may also surrender on demand of the executive authority of any other state any person in this Commonwealth charged in such other state in the manner provided in section 9124 (relating to form of demand) with committing an act in this Commonwealth or in a third state intentionally resulting in a crime in the state whose executive authority is making the demand, and the provisions of this subchapter not otherwise inconsistent shall apply to such cases even though the accused was not in that state at the time of the commission of the crime and has not fled therefrom. Cross References. Section 9127 is referred to in sections 9124, 9134, 9136 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9128 Issue by Governor of warrant of arrest.

If the Governor decides that the demand should be complied with he shall sign a warrant of arrest which shall be sealed with the State seal and be directed to any peace officer or other person whom he may think fit to entrust with the execution thereof. The warrant must substantially recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance. Cross References. Section 9128 is referred to in section 9146 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9129 Manner and place of execution.

Such warrant shall authorize the peace officer or other person to whom directed to arrest the accused at any time and any place where he may be found within this Commonwealth and to command the aid of all peace officers or other persons in the execution of the warrant and to deliver the accused, subject to the provisions of this subchapter, to the duly authorized agent of the demanding state. Cross References. Section 9129 is referred to in section 9146 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9130 Authority of arresting officer.

Every such peace officer or other person empowered to make the arrest shall have the same authority in arresting the accused to command assistance therein as peace officers have by law in the execution of any criminal process directed to them, with like penalties against those who refuse their assistance.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9131 Rights of accused person.

No person arrested upon such warrant shall be delivered over to the agent whom the executive authority demanding him shall have appointed to receive him unless he shall first be taken forthwith before a judge of a court of record in this Commonwealth who shall inform him of the demand made for his surrender and of the crime with which he is charged and that he has the right to demand and procure legal counsel, and, if the prisoner or his counsel shall state that he or they desire to test the legality of his arrest, the judge of such court of record shall fix a reasonable time to be allowed him within which to apply for a writ of habeas corpus. When such writ is applied for, notice thereof and of the time and place of hearing thereon shall be given to the prosecuting officer of the county in which the arrest is made and in which the accused is in custody and to the said agent of the demanding state. Cross References. Section 9131 is referred to in sections 9132, 9146 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9132 Penalty for noncompliance.

Any officer who shall deliver to the agent for extradition of the demanding state a person in his custody under the warrant of the Governor in willful disobedience to section 9131 (relating to rights of accused person) shall commit a misdemeanor of the third degree.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9133 Confinement in jail.

(a) General rule.--The officer or persons executing the Governor's warrant of arrest or the agent of the demanding state to whom the prisoner may have been delivered may, when necessary, confine the prisoner in the jail of any county or city or borough through which he may pass, and the keeper of such jail must receive and safely keep the prisoner until the officer or person having charge of him is ready to proceed on his route, such officer or person being chargeable with the expense of keeping. (b) Prisoner in transit.--The officer or agent of a demanding state to whom a prisoner may have been delivered following extradition proceedings in another state, or to whom a prisoner may have been delivered after waiving extradition in such other state, and who is passing through this Commonwealth with such a prisoner for the purpose of immediately returning such prisoner to the demanding state, may, when necessary, confine the prisoner in the jail of any county or city or borough through which he may pass, and the keeper of such jail must receive and safely keep the prisoner until the officer or agent having charge of him is ready to proceed on his route, such officer or agent, however, being chargeable with the expense of keeping. Such officer or agent shall produce and show to the keeper of such jail satisfactory written evidence of the fact that he is actually transporting such prisoner to the demanding state after a requisition by the executive authority of such demanding state. Such prisoner shall not be entitled to demand a new requisition while in this Commonwealth.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9134 Arrest prior to requisition.

Whenever any person within this Commonwealth shall be charged on the oath of any credible person before any judge or issuing authority of this Commonwealth with the commission of any crime in any other state, and, except in cases arising under section 9127 (relating to extradition of persons not present in demanding state at time of commission of crime) with having fled from justice or with having been convicted of a crime in that state and having escaped from confinement or having broken the terms of his bail, probation or parole, or whenever complaint shall have been made before any judge or issuing authority in this Commonwealth, setting forth on the affidavit of any credible person in another state that a crime has been committed in such other state and that the accused has been charged in such state with the commission of the crime, and, except in cases arising under section 9127, has fled from justice or with having been convicted of a crime in that state and having escaped from confinement or having broken the terms of his bail, probation or parole and is believed to be in this Commonwealth, the judge or issuing authority shall issue a warrant directed to any peace officer commanding him to apprehend the person named therein wherever he may be found in this Commonwealth and to bring him before the same or any other judge or issuing authority who or which may be available in, or convenient of, access to the place where the arrest may be made to answer the charge or complaint and affidavit, and a certified copy of the sworn charge or complaint and affidavit upon which the warrant is issued shall be attached to the warrant. Cross References. Section 9134 is referred to in section 9135 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9135 Arrest without a warrant.

The arrest of a person may be lawfully made also by any peace officer or a private person without a warrant upon reasonable information that the accused stands charged in the courts of a state with a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, but when so arrested the accused must be taken before a judge or issuing authority with all practicable speed, and complaint must be made against him under oath setting forth the ground for the arrest as in section 9134 (relating to arrest prior to requisition), and thereafter his answer shall be heard as if he had been arrested on a warrant.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9136 Commitment to await requisition.

If from the examination before the judge or issuing authority it appears that the person held is the person charged with having committed the crime alleged, and, except in cases arising under section 9127 (relating to extradition of persons not present in demanding state at time of commission of crime), that he has fled from justice, the judge or issuing authority must, by a warrant reciting the accusation, commit him to the county jail for such a time, not exceeding 30 days, and specified in the warrant, as will enable the arrest of the accused to be made under a warrant of the Governor on a requisition of the executive authority of the state having jurisdiction of the offense unless the accused give bail as provided in section 9137 (relating to bail), or until he shall be legally discharged.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9137 Bail.

Unless the offense with which the prisoner is charged is shown to be an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment under the laws of the state in which it was committed, a judge or issuing authority in this Commonwealth may admit the person arrested to bail by bond with sufficient sureties and in such sum as he deems proper, conditioned for his appearance before him at a time specified in such bond and for his surrender to be arrested upon the warrant of the Governor of this Commonwealth. Cross References. Section 9137 is referred to in sections 9136, 9138 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9138 Extension of time of commitment.

If the accused is not arrested under warrant of the Governor by the expiration of the time specified in the warrant or bond, a judge or issuing authority may discharge him or may recommit him for a further period, not to exceed 60 days, or a judge or issuing authority may again take bail for his appearance and surrender, as provided in section 9137 (relating to bail), but within a period not to exceed 60 days after the date of such new bond.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9139 Forfeiture of bail.

If the prisoner is admitted to bail and fails to appear and surrender himself according to the conditions of his bond, the judge or issuing authority by proper order shall declare the bond forfeited and order his immediate arrest without warrant if he be within this Commonwealth. Recovery may be had on such bond in the name of the Commonwealth as in the case of other bonds given by the accused in criminal proceedings within this Commonwealth.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9140 Persons under criminal prosecution in this Commonwealth at time of requisition.

If a criminal prosecution has been instituted against such person under the laws of this Commonwealth and is still pending, the Governor in his discretion either may surrender him on demand of the executive authority of another state or hold him until he has been tried and discharged or convicted and punished in this Commonwealth.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9141 Inquiry into guilt or innocence of accused.

The guilt or innocence of the accused as to the crime of which he is charged may not be inquired into by the Governor, or in any proceeding after the demand for extradition accompanied by a charge of crime in legal form as provided in this subchapter shall have been presented to the Governor, except as it may be involved in identifying the person held as the person charged with the crime.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9142 Governor may recall warrant or issue another.

The Governor may recall his warrant of arrest or may issue another warrant whenever he deems proper.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9143 Duty of Governor in case of fugitives from this Commonwealth.

Whenever the Governor of this Commonwealth shall demand a person charged with crime or with escaping from confinement or breaking the terms of his bail, probation or parole in this Commonwealth, from the executive authority of any other state, or from the official of the District of Columbia authorized to receive such demand under the laws of the United States, he shall issue a warrant under the seal of this Commonwealth to some agent commanding him to receive the person so charged if delivered to him and convey him to the proper officer of the county in this Commonwealth in which the offense was committed.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9144 Issuance of requisition.

(a) Return of accused.--When the return to this Commonwealth of a person charged with crime in this Commonwealth is required the prosecuting attorney shall present to the Governor his written application for a requisition for the return of the person charged, in which application shall be stated the name of the person so charged, the crime charged against him, the approximate time, place and circumstances of its commission, the state in which he is believed to be, including the location of the accused therein at the time the application is made, and certifying that in the opinion of the said prosecuting attorney the ends of justice require the arrest and return of the accused to this Commonwealth for trial, and that the proceeding is not instituted to enforce a private claim. (b) Return of convict.--When the return to this Commonwealth is required of a person who has been convicted of a crime in this Commonwealth and has escaped from confinement or broken the terms of his bail, probation or parole, the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the offense was committed, the parole board or the warden of the institution or sheriff of the county from which escape was made shall present to the Governor a written application for a requisition for the return of such person in which application shall be stated the name of the person, the crime of which he was convicted, the circumstances of his escape from confinement or of the breach of the terms of his bail, probation or parole, the state in which he is believed to be, including the location of the person therein at the time application is made. (c) Procedure.--The application shall be verified by affidavit, shall be executed in duplicate and shall be accompanied by two certified copies of the indictment returned, or information and affidavit filed, or of the complaint made to the judge or issuing authority stating the offense with which the accused is charged, or of the judgment of conviction, or of the sentence. The prosecuting officer, parole board, warden or sheriff may also attach such further affidavits and other documents in duplicate as he shall deem proper to be submitted with such application. One copy of the application with the action of the Governor indicated by endorsement thereon and one of the certified copies of the indictment, complaint, information and affidavits, or of the judgment of conviction, or of the sentence, shall be filed in the Department of State to remain of record in that office. The other copies of all papers shall be forwarded with the requisition of the Governor. Cross References. Section 9144 is referred to in section 9126 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9144.1 Payment of expenses, costs and fees.

All costs and expenses shall be paid out of the county treasury in the county wherein the crime is alleged to have been committed: Provided, however, That all costs and expenses incurred by a county in extraditing a person who, upon release from a Federal prison, is apprehended on a writ of detainer issued by a state other than Pennsylvania, shall be reimbursed by the Department of Justice. Reimbursable costs and expenses incurred in any extradition proceeding shall include, but not be limited to, apprehending, securing, transmitting and maintaining the prisoner, as well as food, court fees and counsel fees. Any person released from a Federal prison for whom extradition proceedings have been initiated and who is apprehended on a writ of detainer issued by a state other than Pennsylvania, shall be transferred to the Bureau of Correction as soon as possible until such extradition occurs or until he is released by the court. The Commissioner of Correction shall accept such transfer. The Bureau of Correction shall make every effort to be reimbursed for all costs and expenses from the state which is seeking extradition. (July 2, 1980, P.L.335, No.83, eff. imd.) 1980 Amendment. Act 83 added section 9144.1, retroactive to December 2, 1976. References in Text. The Bureau of Correction, referred to in subsecs. (c) and (e), was abolished by the act of December 30, 1984 (P.L.1299, No.245) and is now the Department of Corrections. The Commissioner of Correction, referred to in this section, was abolished by the act of December 30, 1984 (P.L.1299, No.245) and is now the Secretary of Corrections. The Department of Justice, referred to in this section, was reorganized into the Office of Attorney General by the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164).

42 Pa.C.S. § 9145 Immunity from service of process in certain civil actions.

A person brought into this Commonwealth by or after waiver of extradition based on a criminal charge shall not be subject to service of personal process in civil actions arising out of the same facts as the criminal proceedings, to answer which he is being or has been returned, until he has been convicted in the criminal proceeding or, if acquitted, until he has had reasonable opportunity to return to the state from which he was extradited.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9146 Written waiver of extradition proceedings.

(a) General rule.--Any person arrested in this Commonwealth charged with having committed any crime in another state or alleged to have escaped from confinement or broken the terms of his bail, probation or parole may waive the issuance and service of the warrant provided for in section 9128 (relating to issue by Governor of warrant of arrest) and section 9129 (relating to manner and place of execution) and all other procedure incidental to extradition proceedings by executing or subscribing in the presence of a judge of any court of record within this Commonwealth a writing which states that he consents to return to the demanding state. Before such waiver shall be executed or subscribed by such person it shall be the duty of such judge to inform such person of his rights to the issuance and service of a warrant of extradition and to obtain a writ of habeas corpus, as provided in section 9131 (relating to rights of accused person). (b) Action following waiver.--If and when such consent has been duly executed it shall forthwith be forwarded to the office of the Governor of this Commonwealth and filed therein. The judge shall direct the officer having such person in custody to deliver forthwith such person to the duly accredited agent or agents of the demanding state, and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to such agent or agents a copy of such consent. (c) Effect of section.--Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit the rights of the accused person to return voluntarily and without formality to the demanding state, nor shall this waiver procedure be deemed to be an exclusive procedure or to limit the powers, rights or duties of the officers of the demanding state or of this Commonwealth.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9146.1 Presigned waiver of extradition.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a law enforcement agency in this Commonwealth holding a person who is alleged to have broken the terms of his probation, parole, bail or any other release in the demanding state shall immediately deliver that person to the duly authorized agent of the demanding state without the requirement of a Governor's warrant if all of the following apply: (1) The person has signed a prior waiver of extradition as a term of his current probation, parole, bail or other release in the demanding state. (2) The law enforcement agency holding the person has received an authenticated copy of the prior waiver of extradition signed by the person and photographs or fingerprints or other evidence properly identifying the person as the person who signed the waiver. (3) All open criminal charges in this Commonwealth have been disposed of through trial and sentencing. (June 25, 1997, P.L.324, No.33, eff. imd.) 1997 Amendment. Act 33 added section 9146.1.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9147 Nonwaiver by Commonwealth.

Nothing in this subchapter contained shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by this Commonwealth of its right, power or privilege to try such demanded person for crime committed within this Commonwealth or of its right, power or privilege to regain custody of such person by extradition proceedings, or otherwise, for the purpose of trial, sentence or punishment for any crime committed within this Commonwealth, nor shall any proceedings had under this subchapter which result in or fail to result in extradition be deemed a waiver by this Commonwealth of any of its rights, privileges or jurisdiction in any way whatsoever.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9148 Liability to further criminal prosecutions.

After a person has been returned to this Commonwealth by or after waiver of extradition proceedings he may be tried in this Commonwealth for other crimes which he may be charged with having committed here, as well as the crimes specified in the requisition for his extradition.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9161 Arrest prior to requisition.

Whenever any person within this Commonwealth shall be charged on the oath of any credible person before any judge or issuing authority of this Commonwealth with the commission of any crime in any other county of this Commonwealth, with having fled from justice or having been convicted of a crime in that county and having escaped from confinement or having broken the terms of his bail, probation or parole, or whenever complaint shall have been made before any judge or issuing authority in this Commonwealth setting forth on the affidavit of any credible person on information received by way of computer check or other means of electronic communication or upon affidavit of a credible person from the charging county that a crime has been committed in such other county and that the accused has been charged in such county with the commission of the crime and has fled from justice or with having been convicted of a crime in that county and having escaped from confinement or having broken the terms of his bail, probation or parole and is believed to be elsewhere in this Commonwealth, the judge or issuing authority shall issue a warrant directed to any peace officer commanding him to apprehend the person named therein wherever he may be found in this Commonwealth and to bring him before the same or any other judge or issuing authority who or which may be available in, or convenient of, access to the place where the arrest may be made to answer the charge or complaint and affidavit, and a certified copy of the sworn charge or complaint and affidavit upon which the warrant is issued shall be attached to the warrant. Cross References. Section 9161 is referred to in section 9162 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9162 Arrest without a warrant.

The arrest of a person may be lawfully made by any peace officer or a private person without a warrant upon reasonable information that the accused stands charged in the courts of another county of this Commonwealth with a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, but, when so arrested, the accused must be taken before a judge or issuing authority with all practicable speed, and complaint must be made against him under oath setting forth the ground for the arrest as in section 9161 (relating to arrest prior to requisition), and, thereafter, his answer shall be heard as if he had been arrested on a warrant.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9163 Commitment to await requisition.

If, from the examination before the judge or issuing authority, it appears that the person held is the person charged with having committed the crime alleged and that he has fled from justice, the judge or issuing authority must, by a warrant reciting the accusation, commit him to the county jail for such a time, not exceeding five days and specified in the warrant, as will enable the arrest of the accused to be made under a warrant of the charging county unless the accused gives bail as provided in section 9164 (relating to bail) or until he shall be legally discharged.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9164 Bail.

Unless the offense with which the prisoner is charged is shown to be an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment under the laws of this Commonwealth, a judge or issuing authority in this Commonwealth may admit the person arrested to bail by bond with sufficient sureties and in such sum as he deems proper, conditioned for his appearance before him at a time specified in such bond and for his surrender to be arrested upon the warrant of the county in which the offense was committed. Cross References. Section 9164 is referred to in section 9163 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9165 Payment of costs and expenses.

All costs and expenses shall be paid out of the county treasury in the county wherein charges were filed in connection with the alleged crime.

42 Pa.C.S. § 9171 Exchange of offenders under treaty.

Whenever a treaty is in force providing for the transfer of convicted offenders between the United States and a foreign country, the Governor or his designee, upon application of the Secretary of Corrections, is authorized to give the approval of the Commonwealth to transfer as provided in the treaty.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=42Fetched: 10/16/2026