What is extradition?

Extradition refers specifically to the legal process through which a fugitive, or someone accused of a crime, is returned to the jurisdiction where the crime was allegedly committed. This process is often invoked when a person flees from the state or country of jurisdiction to another, seeking to avoid prosecution or serving a sentence. The principle behind extradition is rooted in both domestic law and international agreements, facilitating cooperation between states and nations in the enforcement of criminal law.

The other options, while they pertain to various legal or governmental processes, do not accurately describe extradition. Negotiating treaties with foreign nations is a diplomatic process rather than a legal procedure related to criminal justice. Dispute resolution between states typically involves legal challenges or arbitration but is not synonymous with the act of returning a fugitive. Challenging a court ruling concerns the appellate process, where a decision made by a lower court may be contested in a higher court, distinct from the notion of extradition itself. Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the essence of what extradition entails in the context of law.