International Crime Resource CenterCall us now or use the form below. Frequently Asked Questions about International CrimeQ: Will the US government help me if I am arrested in a foreign country? A: Under international law, a foreign government that arrests a US national must inform the US embassy or consulate of the arrest once the US national requests that they do so. Additionally, the United States has treaties with some nations that require the country to notify the US embassy and/or consulate of the arrest or detention of a US citizen whether a request is made or not. US embassies and consulates can provide only limited assistance to US citizens arrested in a foreign country. A consular officer will visit the arrested person in jail, if necessary, and provide him or her with a list of English-speaking lawyers. The officer will also try to ensure that the US citizen is not mistreated, or is not treated any worse than any other prisoner in the local jail. If so requested, the officer will contact any friends or family members and notify them of the arrest. Q: If an American is convicted of a crime in a foreign country, can he or she serve the sentence in an American prison? A: The US has entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his or her home country to serve the prison sentence. A prisoner who wants to be transferred should notify the US embassy or consulate of his or her desire. The application then must be approved by the foreign country and the US Department of Justice before the transfer can take place. A prisoner who is transferred to the US will have his or her sentence reevaluated, and may be resentenced according to US law. The International Criminal Court was created in 2002 to hear cases that involve crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes. The United States signed the original treaty that created the Court, but the Treaty has never been submitted to the Senate for ratification. The U.S. government has expressed concern that there are no checks on the Court's power, and that the Court may be used for political purposes. The State Department has also expressed its concern that the Court may prosecute U.S. citizens, even though the U.S. has not officially approved the treaty that created it. Extradition and International Criminal Defense LawyersThe Houston criminal defense team of Stan Schneider and Ned Barnett have an experienced federal and international criminal practice and are readily able to handle cases involving extradition, international smuggling or trafficking operations, or violations of international law. Please contact them to learn more about their ability to help with your situation. International Crime - An OverviewInternational criminal law refers to crimes that involve more than one country. It sometimes refers to crimes committed in one country that have an effect in another country. It also deals with securing suspects, witnesses and evidence from other countries to prosecute a crime. International criminal law is a complex field that is undergoing continuous change. If you are involved in an international criminal matter, contact an attorney with knowledge and experience in the field, like the attorneys at Stan Schneider & Ned Barnett in Houston, Texas. Intellectual Property PiracyPiracy, or theft, of trademarks and copyrighted material is a growing concern. As improved communication methods simplify sending data across international boundaries, theft of intellectual property has become a global affair. InterpolInterpol (officially, the International Criminal Police Organization) is an international agency that provides its 186 member nations with assistance in law enforcement matters that cross international borders. It is headquartered in Lyon, France. It is not an agency of the United Nations, but does have a representative at the U.N. The United States joined Interpol in 1938. ExtraditionExtradition is the surrender of a person alleged to have committed a crime in one country by the country in which that person presently is located. The purpose of extradition is to prevent nations from becoming safe havens for fugitives and criminals from other nations. Dealing with International CrimeWhen crime crosses international borders, the criminal process can be long and drawn out, compounded by the stress of dealing with courts and law enforcement officials in two or more countries. International Crime Resource Links
Interpol
US National Central Bureau
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Travel Warnings
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International Crime Resource Center
