Here are some tips to help you prepare for the situation if it were to arise…
Research Ahead
Get to know the local laws before moving there. Find out what you are likely to face if you are arrested abroad.
Request Consular Access
The very first thing you must do in case you land in trouble with the law while you are abroad is to request access to your Consulate. This is a request that should be understood and respected internationally.
Although you have a right to this representation on the behalf of your Government, if you get into trouble abroad, you will likely be treated as locals are while you are detained.
Arrested Abroad
In case you are arrested abroad the first thing you should do is ask for consular officials to be contacted. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which most countries in the world have signed, your consul should be automatically notified whenever you are arrested.
You can also ask for this to be done in case it hasn’t already been done. The same convention also grants you the right to send and receive messages to and from the consul. Consular officials also have the right to visit you in custody and will normally do so promptly as soon as they learn of your arrest. They are the best people to advise you further on your situation and to put you in touch with English-speaking lawyers as well as an interpreter should you happen to need one. Friends or family members will also be contacted by the consular staff if you so desire.
Being Convicted of a Crime Abroad
While the court case is pending against you, you should use the time on hand to consider the effect a conviction may have on your life abroad. The most obvious matter relates to your possible deportation. Whether this is a danger or not depends on the country where you are living and the crime of which you are convicted.
Usually deportation is carried out only in case of very serious crimes and economic offences. Minor crimes might only result in short sentences and community service if required.
It is difficult for one EU state to deport a citizen of another EU state; however, there are exceptions to this also. In cases where deportation is being considered, other factors like the length of your stay in the country, family ties and roots will also be considered.
If you are imprisoned abroad then you might request a transfer to a prison in your home country. This is possible if there is a prisoner swapping agreement between your country and the one you are imprisoned in. There are certain charities that offer financial assistance to prisoners and their families and might even arrange for native language newspapers for prisoners who might request them.
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