Thursday, January 26, 2012

Getting Arrested Overseas - Help, You Need Somebody!

Được đăng bởi Travel - Leisure
By Kathleen Burch


When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws, and American officials are limited as to how they can assist you. However, keep in mind that you will not be left hanging by these officials and their agencies, because they can do a few good things for you if you happen to get incarcerated or arrested overseas, such as notifying family and asking if they can help towards your legal expenses, providing you with a list of different attorneys to choose, and caring for your welfare and making it a point to help keep you in good health in mind and body.

The Miranda Rights may be purely American, but so are Embassy or Consulate officers because these would be your first line of defense if you get arrested. International law has made it possible for the U.S. Government to provide individuals who are arrested with consular assistance. Do not get discouraged if your first request to speak with your consul is turned down - keep on trying, but keep your composure too.

Drug offenses in other countries - an exclusive look

Many Americans are getting arrested in other countries for drug charges they may or may not have committed. As the old adage goes, ignorance of the law excuses no one, and individuals caught in possession of or ingesting illegal substances overseas are subject to foreign, and not U.S. laws. In many countries, the burden of proof is on the accused to show that he or she is innocent of the charges.

One of the most notorious bamboozles in these foreign countries is to offer somebody, usually an American to travel overseas all-expenses-paid in exchange for carrying "loaded" luggage. When, to their surprise, they are caught, the fact that they did not know that there were drugs in that package will not reduce the charges against them.

Every aspect of a drug arrest abroad can be different from U.S. practice. Consider these:

Not all countries offer trial with a jury

Most countries do not allow alleged criminals to post bail for a pre-trial release

pre-trial detention, often in solitary confinement, can last several months

prisons may lack even minimal comforts, such as beds, toilets, and washbasins

Bad as American prison food is, foreign prison food is even less healthful, and family and friends may often need to pop by for supplements

officials may not speak English

Increased chances of physical violence, extortion, condescension and confiscation of otherwise harmless property.

People convicted may not just be up for a few months in jail or a fine - hard labor and even the death penalty are possible overseas as well

Foreign policy often does not delineate between "soft" drugs and "hard" drugs nor possession and trafficking of drugs, which means even the mere possession of a marijuana cigarette could lead to eons of incarceration

Consular officers may do their job, but they are basically doing your job because that puts food on their tables. But, you will basically be on your own. Drugs are awful. Stay away from drugs.




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