Fugitives to face justice: Your Say

Letter to the editor:

When USA TODAY first reported on the lack of zeal prosecutors have for extradition, I found it disturbing. I was so relieved to read that, because of your reporting, more criminals will face consequences ("Finally wanted: Police to chase thousands of fugitives").

But then I read that a fugitive's attorney questioned whether a client could be prosecuted in Philadelphia for something that happened in the air. If a crime is committed on a plane, who is in charge of prosecution and will authorities follow through on extradition?

Holly Rothkopf; New York

Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Every criminal should be pursued in rape, murder and other violent crimes. For traffic tickets and minor misdemeanors, it's not cost effective to do so.

— Jon Leady

I would say if those fugitives fled the state, they likely have done something wrong. They must now be obeying the law, or being clever, not to get caught again. What will pursuit accomplish other than costing money just to bring them in? Then it will cost even more money for trials in an overworked justice system. Think of this as a onetime pass. Stay away from where you did a crime, learn from it, stay crime free and enjoy your freedom. The taxpayer will save millions of dollars, and those fugitives will be scared to do something wrong again.

— Gary Kulak

Nice job, USA TODAY. That previous report about fugitives next door was disturbing.

— Christopher Riccio