If You are Arrested: What to Do

If arrested, you are allowed one phone call. Call CIEE's Emergency Line at 1-888-COUNCIL (1-888-268-6245). CIEE's emergency services may be limited, especially outside of office hours. During evenings and weekends your access to general legal and financial services may also be limited.

If you are accused of having committed a crime, the best advice in most circumstances is to talk to a CIEE Staff Member or a lawyer before you answer any questions regarding charges. You have the right to be represented by a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer or if you are not eligible to be assigned a public defender (which is probable), you do have the option of legal services from various community and social service organizations. These may be free or have minimal charges. CIEE can advise about the availability of free or low-cost legal services in your area. Legal Aid is one such service.

You could undergo any of the following procedures upon your arrest:

• Charged and fingerprinted, paperwork, etc.
• Held in jail until bail bond is posted.
• See a court judge who hears preliminary details and drops charges or sets 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 your expected date of departure.
• Depending on the severity of the charges, you might not be able to leave the area before your court date.

If you are found guilty of the crime you are charged with, possible penalties include:

• Money fine (varies for charge and from town to town)
• Community service
• Jail time
• Deportation

Posting Bail

Whenever you are arrested and charged, a judge will decide on how much "bail" you must pay for your "release pending trial". Bail is a deposit which must be paid to ensure your appearance at the set trial date. Your bail is determined by the severity of your crime. If you are unable to pay your full bail payment, "bondsmen" can be hired to cover this cost. CIEE can advise you on the procedures of paying your own bail, or if necessary, help you contact a local bail bondsman.

For example, if the court sets your bail at $500 and you do not have that much money available, a bail bondsman will charge you about 10% (in this case $50). The bondsman will pay the remaining $450 towards your bail, and will keep your $50 as his fee.

NOTE: Failure to appear at your assigned court date will result in the loss of the bail money, which has been posted by you or the bondsman. If you used a bail bondsman, you will owe him the full fee. Failure to appear in court may also increase the severity of charges against you.