Know the Law Before Ruining Your Vacation

June 22, 2005 — -- If you're among the millions of Americans packing their vacation bags for farflung summer sojourns -- from scaling the Great Wall of China to sipping fine French wines -- don't hold back taking advantage of, dare I say it, leisure time.

Don't forget, however, that as soon as you step off the plane, you're expected to follow that country's laws and that often punishments for violations are far stricter than at home. Think of the American teenager who got caned in Singapore in 1994 for throwing eggs and paint at cars, or the recent case of the young Australian woman who got 20 years in the slammer for allegedly trying to smuggle marijuana in Indonesia. Shappelle Corby got off easy, however, considering that she could have gotten the death penalty.

So what's to be expected for Americans who decide to walk on the wild side while traveling abroad? We took a look at some of the top countries Americans are most likely to visit and what might happen if you got caught:

According to the U.S. State Department and lawyers consulted in various countries, the following are the penalties for getting caught:

Editor's Note: The following article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a legal question, you should consult an attorney.

Mexico:

Smoking marijuana: If police bust you smoking a joint, they will most likely detain you overnight and assess a fine. Possession, selling or trafficking are criminal offenses, so expect tough punishments.

Carrying a firearm: Just because it's close by doesn't mean U.S. laws apply, even if you're just visiting for the day. You might be able to walk around with a gun in Texas, but that ain't so in Mexico, so leave your gun behind. If you wish to go hunting in Mexico, you can apply for a gun permit but expect to shell out $5,000.If you are caught bringing in a firearm, ammunition or any other weapon, Mexican authorities may confiscate your car and arrest you. A detained American may spend months in pretrial detention while his or her case is being investigated. If convicted, you may face several years in a Mexican prison.

Driving 70 mph on the highway: Speed limits are on the lower side. Depending on what type of highway you're driving on, you shouldn't go faster than 62 mph.The police enforce the speed limit, but most local cops don't have radars. The maximum fine for speeding is approximately $40.

To scare tourists into paying the fine "on the spot," sometimes police will threaten to keep your driver's license. This is illegal, so call them on it.