Arrested ! What Do You Do ?!

[atoll]

arrested in a foreign country.
i have seen this happen in a few places to cruisers around the world.
what is the best course of action?

i can think of two occasions with serious consequenses of people not declaring fire arms.

crew arrested for getting into fights.

a friend because he had alot of radio equipment,as a spy,in cyprus!!!

shooting in st lucia over a bit of adultary between yachts!

the list goes on .......

[boatman61]

However.... shooting dead person/s making said polite request WILL result in your arrest IN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD....

[TaoJones]

It's simple, no?

Lawyers Guns And Money

By Warren Zevon

I went home with the waitress
the way I always do
How was I to know
she was with the
Russians too?

I was gambling in Havana
I took a little risk
Send lawyers, guns and money
they'll get me out of this, hah!

I'm the innocent bystander
Somehow I got stuck
between the rock
and a hard place
and I'm down on my luck
Yes I'm down on my luck
Well I'm down on my luck

I'm hiding in Honduras
I'm a desperate man
Send lawyers, guns and money
the **** has hit the fan

* * *

TaoJones

[Bash]

The Geneva Convention on Consular Relations (1963), a treaty to which many but not all countries subscribe, specifies that authorities must notify the appropriate consular offices without delay when a foreigner requests it if that person requests notification.

So, it seems that one of the first things you would want to do would be to request that your country's consular offices were notified of the arrest.

I do not speak from experience, of course.

[Ram]

Originally Posted by boatman61

However.... shooting dead person/s making said polite request WILL result in your arrest IN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD....

please explane more it went over my head

[Badsanta]

Originally Posted by atoll

arrested in a foreign country.
i have seen this happen in a few places to cruisers around the world.
what is the best course of action?

i can think of two occasions with serious consequenses of people not declaring fire arms.

crew arrested for getting into fights.

a friend because he had alot of radio equipment,as a spy,in cyprus!!!

shooting in st lucia over a bit of adultary between yachts!

the list goes on .......

I would get some new friends. Or at least not travel with them.

[atoll]

definitely tao and bash.

but i would try to diffuse the situation,before it actually,came to being behind bars.

iv'e seen situations esculate rapidly out of control because in the initial dispute people have not kept their heads,and they the injured parties have ended up getting arrested.

don't forget you are a visitor in the country,may not speak the language,this can either be to your advantage,or detriment.

[David M]

One way to avoid it in the first place is to not break any of their laws.

If you do get arrested don't be belligerent towards their authority....kiss their rear ends as much as you might despise this. Tell them you are there because their country and culture is so beautiful and that you were just not aware of this one particular law and that you promise not to do it again and that when you do return you will be spending even more money this time. kiss-kiss-kiss

[atoll]

Originally Posted by David M

One way to avoid it in the first place is to not break any of their laws. If you do get arrested don't be belligerent towards their authority....kiss their rear ends as much as you might despise this.

not carrying id in france is an arrestable offence,and reason to be held in custody,and in alot of other countries...........besides
,whats okay at home may be an offence in other countries,so there is a good chance you were unaware you were even breaking the law.

[David M]

That's why I said....their laws. Sorta implying learn their laws before setting foot on their soil.

[Ram]

I think were off topic a bit, I don’t believe the question was how not to get arrested but what to do if it happen to you

[earthbm]

Get her to raise the anchor, inconspicuously set sail and take the boat to the lee shore. Meanwhile you ask for a bathroom break, overpower the guy who takes you to the latrine, run to the local fishermen and offer two bottles of rum for a ride to your boat, take it outside 12nm from the shore, and you're done! Easy.

Originally Posted by atoll

shooting in st lucia over a bit of adultary between yachts!

I would be able to tailor my advice better if you describe the events in greater detail.

[AllezCat]

smile - apologize profusely.
use money. and more money.
Best to diffuse the situation at or before the "arrest" part...
The local whose car you damaged with your head requires money to.
then leave quickly....

[James S]

Originally Posted by AllezCat

smile - apologize profusely.
use money. and more money.
Best to diffuse the situation at or before the "arrest" part...
The local whose car you damaged with your head requires money to.
then leave quickly....

Well said...., and if they or you do call you embassy...it's not always a good thing and I consider it an absolute last resort.

Don't think for a minute that your going to intimidate anyone..and try your damnedest not to embarrass or cause anyone to loose face.

It matter less what you're saying then what your body language is saying.... try and "speak" clearly.

[SurferShane]

Although definitely NOT in Australia, in a lot of places it is customary to offer a “bribe”? Good reason to have a few big US notes hidden onboard for "special occasions"?

As a Lawyer my only other "sensible" thought is that if things look “serious” keep your mouth shut, act pleasant and get straight in contact with your nations consulate for instruction and representation?