The World's Worst Travel Disasters
You’re Arrested for Unwittingly Breaking a Law
The Scenario: Running late for a business meeting in Singapore, you decide to cross the street from your hotel against a traffic light. By the time you get to the other side, two police officers are waiting for you.
The Location: Singapore (where jaywalking, spitting, and littering are all punishable by caning); China (where publicly expressing an unfavorable opinion on government policy is illegal); and many other places around the world.
The Information: First, do your research before leaving on your trip: read up on the Web site of the U.S. State Department about laws and penalties in the country you’re traveling in. Once you’ve been nabbed for unknowingly breaking a law, the best thing you can do is contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. And have your lawyer’s business card handy; you may need it.
