Fugitive Felon Act

Nancy Egan

Fugitive felon legislation was introduced into the U.S. Congress in 1934 as part of a package of bills designed to give the federal government power to aid states in addressing the activities of criminal gangs. The Fugitive Felon Act (18 U.S.C. 1073, 1074), considered a major part of this antigangster legislation, made it a federal offense to flee a state to avoid prosecution for committing a felony or to avoid giving testimony in a criminal proceeding. Enforcing the act was and remains the responsibility of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The criminal gang problem in the country at the time was extensive enough for one of the bill's supporters to note that there were more armed gangsters in the country than armed forces. In addition, interstate flight problems were increasing as methods of transportation became more readily accessible. Many of the bill's supporters, such as Senator Arthur Hendrick Vandenberg ...

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