US swim team legal troubles sheds light on international law

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The huge uproar caused by some members of the US Olympic swim team in Rio over the past two weeks has many people asking questions about what exactly happens to them if they get in trouble in a foreign country.

American Ryan Lochte and three of his teammate found themselves in some hot water after being accused of making false claims to police and creating an elaborate story about being robbed at gunpoint to cover up their own vandalism at a gas station.

And while they’re all back in the US now, NEWS 1130 Legal Analyst Michael Shapray says you need to be on your best behaviour abroad as the country you’re visiting may have some laws that are very different than our own.

“If you’re going to get caught in a lie in a high-profile situation like this, it just made the situation so much worse than it would have been in the first place.”

Shapray says the first thing to do if you find yourself on the wrong side of the law in a different country is to get a hold of a local lawyer. “And who understands their system, their policing system and prosecutorial system so you can get proper advice.”

Shapray also reminds you that in any country — whether it’s here in Canada or around the world — ignorance of the law can’t be used as a defense.

And further proof Lochte’s actions will follow him around for a while, Speedo USA has announced it is dropping him as a client. “While we have enjoyed a winning relationship with Ryan for over a decade and he has been an important member of the Speedo team, we cannot condone behaviour that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for,” the company said in a statement.

Ralph Lauren also says it won’t be renewing the swimmer’s contract.

You can hear Michael Shapray every Sunday at 8 a.m. for his weekly segment Legal Matters.

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