Remember:  When You Travel, The Rules Are Different

When Americans travel abroad, they often find themselves entangled in legal troubles, sometimes due to simple misunderstandings of local customs and laws.

"They dress immodestly," notes Sheryl Hill, the executive director of Depart Smart, a nonprofit focused on improving travel safety. "They bring banned medications. They make inappropriate gestures. I've heard it all."

These are not isolated incidents. For instance, Qatar launched a campaign a few years ago to remind tourists to dress modestly, in accordance with its Islamic laws. More recently, a woman from Utah found herself in a Mexican jail after bringing Sudafed on her vacation in Puerto Vallarta, not realizing it was prohibited.

One of the most infamous cases of cultural misunderstanding occurred in 1985 when five Americans were arrested outside the Vatican for making the Texas Longhorn football team’s signature gesture—a clenched fist with the index and little fingers extended. While this hand sign is a proud symbol in Texas, it is considered an obscene gesture in Italy.

“All the rules change when you’re in another country,” Hill explains.

To avoid such pitfalls, preparation is key. According to Sasha Shulman, a criminal-defense lawyer in South Florida who frequently handles cases involving international visitors, the best way to avoid legal trouble while abroad is to do thorough research before your trip. "When traveling abroad, make sure you understand the local laws and regulations," she advises. "Many laws abroad are similar to those in the United States, but it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the differences before you go."

The U.S. State Department offers country-specific pages that provide overviews of important local laws. Many popular tourist destinations have regulations that might seem unusual to Americans. For example, in Germany, stopping on the autobahn is illegal, while in Italy, jumping into city fountains is prohibited. Singapore has strict bans on chewing gum, Spain prohibits driving in flip-flops, and in Thailand, insulting the royal family can lead to severe penalties.

Another essential pre-departure step is registering with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). "In my opinion, that's the first thing you should do," says Renata Castro, an immigration lawyer based in Pompano Beach, Florida. This free service allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to register their trips with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enrollment in STEP enables travelers to receive important updates on travel conditions in their destination country, provides a direct line of communication between the embassy and the traveler, and can be invaluable in emergencies, such as if you’re detained or jailed.

Helping arrested or detained U.S. citizens is one of the embassy’s top priorities. Among other services, the embassy can provide a list of English-speaking attorneys, contact your family and friends, visit you regularly to ensure your well-being, confirm that prison officials are providing necessary medical care, and offer guidance on the country’s legal system. The State Department’s website offers a comprehensive overview of these services.

Leslie Fischer, a website publisher from Houston, learned firsthand the importance of having a good lawyer when her friend had a minor accident in Germany. "He tapped a traffic sign with his car while backing up," she recalls. "He got out, inspected the sign, saw no damage, and left."

However, a passerby reported him to the police for leaving the scene of an accident, and he later received a notice in the mail, charging him with a crime. "Since he is an American, he wasn't fully aware of the seriousness of the charges, his rights, or what he might have done wrong," Fischer says. "Policemen often aren’t fluent in English, and trying to communicate in a foreign language in a stressful situation is not advisable."

Her friend wisely hired an attorney who accompanied him to the police station. "Instead of struggling with the language barrier in a stressful situation, the attorney was able to communicate effectively with the police and got the charges dropped. My friend just had to show up and sit silently," Fischer recounts.

When traveling abroad, preparation, research, and knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference in staying out of legal trouble.

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Be aware of laws while traveling, or you’ll court trouble – Chicago Tribune