Paris, Paris...

When traveling to or in a foreign country, American agencies and officials can only do so much if you are caught breaking the country's laws. US officials are limited in their capacity to help, and as such, they cannot pay for your legal fees or expenses and they cannot represent you in court. But there are a few ways our officials working overseas can protect you, and these would include procuring a list of different lawyers, if need be, contacting your family back home and asking if they can provide money for your legal expenses, and of course, making sure you remain in good health and making sure your welfare is not abused because of, or related to your state of incarceration.

If you are arrested, immediately ask to speak to a consular officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Under international agreements, the U.S. Government has a right to provide consular assistance to you upon your request. If your request to speak to your consul is turned down, keep asking-politely, but persistently.

Special warning about drug offenses abroad

More and more Americans join the hundreds arrested yearly in other countries for drug offenses. Persons caught with illegal drugs in a foreign country are subject to the drug laws of that country, not those of the U.S.; as always, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Many countries have a "guilty until proven innocent" set of laws which simply means that if arrested for such a crime, the alleged wrong-doer would have to prove he or she is innocent of the charges thereof.

Some American travelers are naive enough to accept an all-expenses-paid vacation, with one catch - they would have to do it in exchange for carrying luggage with a small package surreptitiously hidden. Again, ignorance of the law excuses no one - a traveler may fall for the now-common scam of carrying a heavy piece of luggage if it means being rewarded with an all-expenses-paid trip - but once caught, his/her protestations that he/she wasn't dealing with drugs will likely fall on deaf ears.

Every aspect of a drug arrest abroad can be different from U.S. practice. Consider these:

Jury trials are not available everywhere

many countries do not permit pre-trial release on bail

Expect lengthy pre-trial detention, which could be up to half a year in solitary confinement

Overseas prisons are often lacking the most fundamental in equipment, beds, sinks and toilets alike.

diets are often inadequate and require supplements from relatives and friends

Not everybody, including prison officials, speak English

physical abuse, confiscation of property, degrading treatment and extortion are possible.

Individuals convicted overseas may not just face jail time - there is also the possibility of hard labor or a trip to Death Row with nary a chance of a commute

Drug possession and drug trafficking are basically the same banana when it comes to overseas policy, so even if all you have is one lousy ounce of weed, you could serve up to a decade in a foreign jail

Consular officers may do their job, but they are basically doing your job because that puts food on their tables. But, you will basically be on your own. Drugs are awful. Stay away from drugs.