Extradition is the legal process by which one country formally surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to another country. This usually occurs when the individual is wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence for a crime committed in the requesting country. The process is governed by treaties and laws that outline the conditions under which extradition can take place. Countries often have specific agreements, known as extradition treaties, that detail the types of offenses that warrant extradition and the legal procedures involved. Factors such as the severity of the crime, the rights of the accused, and diplomatic relations can influence whether extradition is granted.