Getting arrested in a foreign country is a nightmare for many people who travel abroad, and for some of them, it is reality. If that would happen to you anytime – what would you do? On many occasions, detention in a foreign country is related to problems with your documentation, visa or misusage of lost passports. In other cases, people get arrested because of a pending legal issue in the country where they arrive or an Interpol Notice. Various reasons can lead to arrest by national authorities. Regardless of the reason for the detention, some constitutional rights must be considered alongside some general procedures. You need to be aware of these procedures.

As long as you are located in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. For the authorities of your home country, the possibilities concerning how to assist you can be limited. However, there are still some steps you should take. However, it would be best to be careful with your actions and what you tell the national authorities while taking active steps. Therefore, it is vital to be advised by someone who has the necessary experience with such situations.

The procedures can vary significantly depending on the state where someone is arrested. In addition, the person might not be familiar with the language and the national law. In such situations, it can be difficult to find a legal consultant with the necessary local expertise to ensure that your rights are protected. At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, we have incomparable experience in handling these situations. Furthermore, we work in close cooperation with highly regarded law firms from all over the world. Due to our flexible communication methods and intercultural understanding, we can manage large teams of international lawyers. Whenever necessary, we travel abroad to assist our clients personally to ensure that their rights are protected.

Even if you do not find yourself responsible for any legal offence, it is a good idea to consult with a lawyer before answering any questions the authorities might ask you. You do not need to be afraid that professional legal advice could make you suspicious; it is just a tool to ensure your rights are protected. The presumption of innocence and your right to remain silent must always be considered. You need to be aware that whatever you say to the authorities might be used against you.

On some occasions, cooperation may help your situation. To figure out, what is best for you and your case, it is essential to have the required expertise. Therefore, you should only rely on professional legal advice. Thanks to extensive experience, our highly specialized lawyers know how to assist our clients to get out of detention as soon as possible. If you find yourself in such a situation, do not hesitate to contact our team of extradition lawyers.

Frequently, getting arrested in a foreign country is based on an international search and, consequently, often combined with an extradition request. An extradition request occurs when one country needs legal assistance from another country to return an individual. If you are subject to an extradition request or an Interpol Notice, there are still legal defences against the extradition. But since there is no international extradition law as such, national extradition law needs to be applied. Therefore, proceedings vary from one country to another.  For this reason, we work in close cooperation with teams of highly qualified extradition lawyers from different countries. Thanks to our experience and extensive knowledge, we can successfully handle extradition proceedings worldwide.

Knowing your options and being aware of your rights is essential to ensure you are protected. Due to the speed at which extradition proceedings can happen, it is necessary to be advised by a specialized extradition lawyer as soon as possible. Our team of extradition lawyers is constantly available to assist you. Together we will place you in the best possible position to fight your case successfully.