Not me. But this is one of the scariest things that can happen to a traveler. My friend Etienne told me his story. (I seriously think we could send this to the tv show - a new twist! a French citizen locked up in America. Does anybody know somebody who works there?)
Etienne was driving through New Orleans when a car pulled up in front of him too fast, and he hit the car. The lady driving was not upset or injured, and Etienne says the car was just dented in the bumper. Police showed up, and before he knew it - he was being ushered into the back of a police car. Etienne thought he was headed to the station to give a statement, but he was sent to a temporary detainee cell - this cell was about 10x10 square feet, and there were 4 guys in there. Since it was a transit cell, most of the guys came and went (read: had bail posted for them) within 24 hours. He said he was the only white collar person there - most guys had been picked up for drug charges.
Now: I realize I only heard one side of the story, but can you imagine if this was you? scary!
Etienne was driving through New Orleans when a car pulled up in front of him too fast, and he hit the car. The lady driving was not upset or injured, and Etienne says the car was just dented in the bumper. Police showed up, and before he knew it - he was being ushered into the back of a police car. Etienne thought he was headed to the station to give a statement, but he was sent to a temporary detainee cell - this cell was about 10x10 square feet, and there were 4 guys in there. Since it was a transit cell, most of the guys came and went (read: had bail posted for them) within 24 hours. He said he was the only white collar person there - most guys had been picked up for drug charges.
You get one phone call per week, so he looked up the French embassy - but it was Friday afternoon, and the embassy was closed. Etienne left a voicemail saying he was a French citizen needing help, but he never heard from the embassy. The next week, he was moved to a longer-term but still a transit detainee cell - this one had about 24 guys in it.
He also got to go before a judge in traffic court, where he was finally explained the reason for his detention: the police reported that he was violent, agressive, and uncooperative. He also found out that he had a fine of $250. Etienne says he could easily have paid the fine if he had known about it! So, with his next Friday's phone call - he called a bail bondsman - but since they only receive 10% commission (about $25), nobody would come let him out.
So, once he had served his two weeks in American jail - they released him, gave him his things, and let him go free. He still had to pay that $250, then he recovered his car from the impound lot (fortunately didn't have to pay that one, since he proved he was in jail), grabbed a shower at the local YMCA, and got out of New Orleans.
Now: I realize I only heard one side of the story, but can you imagine if this was you? scary!
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