Can US citizens be charged with breaking US laws when they are in foreign countries?

Boom Blatz

It depends on the status of the American citizen. Definitely in the case of Military or diplomatic corp, the laws of the US still apply despite being in a foreign country. For regular tourists, the laws do not generally apply unless the activity carries over to the US. For example, a 20 year old can get drunk in Mexico and be fine, but get in trouble if they are still intoxicated when they cross the border back to the US.

Mickey W

The short answer is yes.
It depends on the actual law, but some are designed to holdup outside the US territory.
For example, Conspiracy law, Terrorism laws, Trade Embargo, Technology divulgence laws are all enforceable on US citizens outside the US.
But basically, it has to be an infraction against the US.
If you go to a foreign country, and drive while your US license is revoked, you wonâ€™t suffer punishment from the US.

manx l

There is a law that makes it illegal to bribe an individual in a foreign country. Some US citizens have been charged under this law for bribery activities of their companies foreign subsidiaries. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Jack J

Yes, most assuredly yes. If you bribe a foreign official, you can go to jail in the US. Just one example. If you break a foreign law, that is not illegal in the US you fcan be prosecuted, an example - it is illegal to use the swastika in Germany. Even model planes can't use swastika decals. in the US, you can be prosecuted.

god knows and sees else Yahoo

yes
example blackwater employees in Iraq
The CIA employees operating anywhere in the world

S B

technically no unless your are in a country where their is so called U.S. soil (military base, embassy) otherwise i don't believe so unless it is conspiracy to commit terrorism.

jay k

Not unless he's a diplomat.

mencey007

yes, example, going to cuba.

open4one

It depends on the law in question, but the answer is a definite "sometimes".

One example that applies to everyone is the US Tax Code. It's laws apply to every US Citizen, regardless of where in the world they are. There are some differences in what parts apply, but the law does apply.

If a person is on Probation and one of the terms is that they cannot take a particular drug, associate with a particular person, or own a firearm, it doesn't matter where they are in the world, even if with their PO's permission. The activity is still a violation.

Not exactly what you asked, but there are also licenses and privileges issued by a US jurisdiction, including licenses to drive or practice a profession, and the conditions sometimes include that if a person commits a violation of the local country's laws, that may be a violation of the law pertaining to the license.

Phurface

Yes! It's called treason

sabrinaroz

As far as I know, you abide by the laws of the country you are currently in.

Elliott J

It is all about jurisdiction.

If you are in Germany, you go by German law.

Somehow people get the idea that their citizenship entitles them to the same laws and treatment wherever they go. Not so.

pete1ny

no. you can be charged only by the book of the court, which is the law of the country you are in

nkiere s

it`s impossible

Wolfechu

Is this one of these 'can I smoke dope in Amsterdam' questions?