A Red Notice is an international alert issued by INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization. It is a tool used to alert law enforcement worldwide about individuals wanted for prosecution or to serve sentences for serious crimes. However it is not an arrest warrant and does not compel member countries to act on it directly. Each country decides its response based on its own laws.
A Red Notice requests the provisional arrest of a person pending extradition or similar legal action based on an arrest warrant or court order from the requesting country. The notice includes identifying details such as the individual’s name, date of birth, and photographs, as well as information about the alleged crime.
A Red Notice is designed to facilitate global cooperation in tracking down fugitives and ensuring justice is served. Interpol’s rules prevent a Red Notice from being used for certain offenses that could involve government suppression, such as offenses that violate cultural norms like prostitution or offenses connected to family and private matters like adultery, homosexual acts, bigamy/polygamy etc. The rules also exclude offenses that involve a violation of laws or regulations of an administrative nature or deriving from private disputes, unless the alleged crime is facilitating a serious crime or is suspected of being connected to organized crime. A red notice is only issued for serious crimes like rape, murder, armed robbery or fraud.
What is a Persecutory Red Notice?
However, this doesn’t prevent Red Notices from being exploited. Autocratic regimes may misuse this system to pursue political dissidents or individuals they seek to silence, even if the charges are politically motivated rather than criminal. A persecutory Red Notice can result in wrongful detentions or legal battles in countries where the individuals may not receive a fair hearing. A Red Notice may also have unfortunate consequences for anyone involved in an immigration proceeding. It’s important to consult an international defense attorney who is skilled in high level international criminal defense as soon as possible.
At Dhar Law, LLP, our firm specializes in handling complex international criminal defense matters. We are committed to providing accessible legal services and support, including multilingual assistance. Our team includes translators fluent in major languages to ensure you fully understand your rights and the legal process. We have defended countless serious criminal cases in federal courts and we have experience working with clients of diverse national origin and ethnicity.
We have defended many serious criminal cases involving federal and international law and handled matters relating to extradition, both interstate and international. To get assistance with your matter, please contact a member of our Boston criminal defense team today. If you face charges or an investigation, or have any questions about a Red Notice or international issue, please call 617-880-6155 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with our defense attorneys.
