Maybe you did something bad, maybe you didn’t, but either way you’ve ended up in the clink and you probably want to get out. Don’t worry – it happens to thousands of travellers every year. Chances are you fall into one of three groups. An innocent who mouthed off at the wrong cop, guilty of doing something minor like a traffic infringement or guilty of doing something major like drugs or violence.
This can be stressful, but there are ways to increase your chances of things going your way. Follow these tips for starters.
Calm Down – When you’re stressed out and yelling at people in a language they don’t speak, well you’re not doing yourself any favours. Trust me on that one.
Smile – I know it might be difficult to do in this situation, but you want the cops to have a friendly disposition towards you. While that isn’t always possible, you need to be calm and keep smiling. You are not in a position of power so screaming and acting threateningly is NOT going to work here.
Be Polite – Consider that the guys who arrested you probably make $40 a month. Consider that they are not going to be predisposed towards liking you anyway. Consider that all they really have is their dignity. If you damage that, then they are going to go out of their way to screw you. Be polite and respectful and you might get some wriggle room in getting yourself out of a bad situation.
Be Friendly – Spotting a theme here? Your first order of business is to get the cops on your side. This isn’t always possible, but you need to try, because a cop who likes you is a lot more likely to offer you ways out of your situation than a cop who wants to kick you in the nuts.
Ask How to Solve The Problem – After a while of getting the cops on your side, you will want to inquire if there is any way to help yourself. What should I do? If the cops are friendly towards you they may offer ways of getting out of your current predicament. Some may mention the possibility of paying a ‘fine’ (aka bribe). If that option is offered, politely ask how you can explore that option. Often that will be the quickest way out. For the love of god, don’t be blunt here – do NOT say “How much is the bribe?” – remember you’re trying to let people save face and admitting to bribery or accusing somebody of it is not the way to go forward with that.
Ask About Representation – Again, very politely ask about the possibility of getting a lawyer. Remember that you probably don’t have any rights such as a phone call or a lawyer where you are, so you need to be very friendly and polite when you’re asking about this. Do it in the same way that you would ask a professional boxer if it’s ok to take his daughter on a date – ie. very respectfully and politely. Often a lawyer can help you navigate the legalities and sometimes even help with ‘fines’ and the like (for a cut of course).
Ask About Calling Your Embassy – Remember that you don’t have any rights here. If they let you call your embassy, it’s because they are doing you a favour (hence the emphasis on being friendly first). And don’t expect your embassy to bail you out, because they won’t. At best they can advise you on what your next step will be.
Be Realistic – If you have been caught with soft drugs, you are might get away with a hefty fine or bribe. Anything more than that, and you’re in some real trouble. Remember there are thousands of people incarcerated in foreign countries after a holiday gone wrong. Have some common sense about your activities and you should be able to get out of small-time police difficulties. Anything more than a minor infringement and you will probably be looking at jail time.
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Though I may consider it unlikely that I may be arrested in third world counties, I will take heed of your advice here.
i think this would work for almost any country in the world. Maybe not the bribe part, but all the other things are what you should do even if you are arrested in your own country (off course if you are in your country you wouldn’t have to call your embassy…)
Sometimes you just have to be in the wrong place.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt, but I think you have a better way of talking your way out of things in the thrid world (generally).