Americans Arrested Abroad

PART I: WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE ARRESTED ABROAD

Singer Chris Brown was just arrested on drug and rape charges. This may not come as a shock to people familiar with Brown’s history—he has certainly been arrested before—but this time, there’s a big difference: He was arrested, not in L.A. or New York City, but in Paris.

While Chris Brown surely has no shortage of funds to hire a lawyer, being arrested abroad presents an entirely new set of problems for the accused. Here’s what to do if you find yourself behind bars in a foreign country.

1. Tell Uncle Sam

If you’re arrested outside of the U.S., immediately tell officers that you are American and ask them to notify the United States embassy or consulate in that country. As soon as you’re allowed a phone call, contact these entities yourself. These establishments are in place in part to help Americans who end up jailed abroad; they can provide you with a list of English-speaking lawyers, inform your family, ensure your fair treatment in jail, and more. However, don’t expect a miracle—U.S. embassies or consulates cannot demand your release, represent you in court, or pay your legal and medical expenses.
 
 
2. Acquire Funds

Because the U.S. won’t pay your bills for you, you’re going to need to get your hands on some money. Since the U.S. embassy or consulate can put you in touch with your relatives and friends in the U.S., you can ask your loved ones to help you by sending funds.

If your family isn’t exactly wealthy, they still have options. Depending on who you are and why you were arrested, charities such as the ACLU or Rainbow Railroad may be able to help. Your advocates back home can also drum up media support and create an online fundraiser (or hold a physical fundraiser) in order to send you aid.
 
3. Hire a Local Lawyer

Once you have the funds, you’ll need to hire a local lawyer. It’s important that you are able to communicate with this person, so unless you’re fluent in the language of the country in which you’re now stuck, your lawyer needs to speak English. However, it is equally important that your lawyer be licensed to practice and familiar with the laws in the country in which you were arrested (this is why hiring an American lawyer won’t work). If you cannot afford an attorney, find out if you’re in a country that supplies public defenders.
 

Don’t Give Up

Armed with the help of the U.S. government, family and friends back home, and a good lawyer, many U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad experience happy endings. But a big factor in whether they’ll get a happy ending is simple: The country in which the arrest took place. Read our next article in this series to find out which countries treat suspects fairly—and which ones can be problematic for prisoners.
 
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