Legal Information
EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE A VISITOR, THE LAW STILL APPLIES TO YOU. YOU MUST RESPECT LOCAL LAWS, JUST AS YOU DO AT HOME. THE U.S. POLICE CAN BE VERY STRICT. A NIGHT IN JAIL OR A LARGE FINE ARE NOT APPROPRIATE SOUVENIRS FOR WAT PARTICIPANTS. ANY LEGAL TROUBLE IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY. PII WILL TRY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TROUGH YOUR CONSULATE OR OTHERS IN THE UNITED STATES. INFORM US INSTANTLY IF NECESSARY.IF YOU ARE ARRESTED
Your Legal Rights
1. You have the right to remain silent and to refuse to answer any questions if you so choose.
2. No person accused of a crime may be forced to confess or give evidence against themselves.
3. You also have the right not to be searched unless the police officer has a warrant.
4. Most importantly, you have the right to be represented by a lawyer, and to be provided with a lawyer to represent you if you cannot afford to hire one.
5. Furthermore, you are entitled to be released from jail upon posting of a bail bond ( money paid to ensure that the person reports for trial ) set by the court while you await trial.
6. You are entitled to a fair trial conducted according to all the rules of evidence and court procedures.
7. Above all, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. You do not have to prove your innocence, but rather the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Possible Police Procedure if You Are Detained
1.Charged or finger printed, paperwork, etc...
2.Held in jail until ball bond is posted.
3.See a court judge who hears preliminary details and drops charges or sets a court date within the next 30 days. Sometimes court dates can be set sooner, especially if you remind the judge that you are only legally able to stay in the USA until the end of your J-1 visa (summer and winter participants).
4.1.Depending on the severity of the charges, you might not be able to leave the area before your court date.
Possible Charges for Being Found Guilty
(Fines and penalties are subject to local laws, therefore the degree of penalties and amount of fines, etc.., differ from town to town and may also differ from violations of state or federal laws.)
1.Monetary fine ( varies for charge )
2.Community service
3.Jail time
4.Deportation