# § 3191. Witnesses for indigent fugitives
On the hearing of any case under a claim of extradition by a foreign government, upon affidavit being filed by the person charged setting forth that there are witnesses whose evidence is material to his defense, that he cannot safely go to trial without them, what he expects to prove by each of them, and that he is not possessed of sufficient means, and is actually unable to pay the fees of such witnesses, the judge or magistrate judge hearing the matter may order that such witnesses be subpenaed; and the costs incurred by the process, and the fees of witnesses, shall be paid in the same manner as in the case of witnesses subpenaed in behalf of the United States.
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**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 825; Pub. L. 90–578, title III, § 301(a)(3), Oct. 17, 1968, 82 Stat. 1115; Pub. L. 101–650, title III, § 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117.)
### Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 656 (, ).
Words “that similar” after “manner” were omitted as unnecessary.
## Editorial Notes
### Amendments
1968— substituted “magistrate” for “commissioner”.
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Change of Name
Words “magistrate judge” substituted for “magistrate” in text pursuant to , set out as a note under , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
### Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by effective , except when a later effective date is applicable, which is the earlier of date when implementation of amendment by appointment of magistrates [now United States magistrate judges] and assumption of office takes place or third anniversary of enactment of on , see , set out as a note under , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.