I’m a Constant Reader of weird news headlines, especially ones that relate to casinos and card decks. (After all, this isn’t a column about cars…)
One of the latest headlines that stuck was the arrest of an entire bridge club in Pattaya, a country where many activities involving cards are illegal according to the Playing Cards Act.
According to the story, the police walked in, closed the game and arrested everyone who was participating – many of which wasn’t aware of the local laws or how their game would be treated by law enforcement.
If it happened to this unfortunate group of players once, I imagine that it can happen again in countries with strict laws against gambling, but vague regulations on bridge.
Here’s what to do if you get arrested or booked for gambling.
Research the Country and the Laws
Do some preliminary research on any countries you might be traveling to and what their laws have to say about cards, gambling and bridge. While card playing is legal in a lot of the world, there are many other places where a bridge game is considered gambling (and all of it is graded according to the same criteria: Illegal).
Not sure? Look it up – and that’s the first, best thing you can do.
Keep in mind that some countries have area specific laws that apply to gambling, where it might be legal in one area and highly illegal in others.
Know Thy Club
Other than the applicable laws of the country you intend to play in, double check the authenticity of the club. Is it a real bridge club registered with a local federation, is it a legal and private money bridge game – or is it a dodgy gambling haunt in a dark alley?
While what happened in Pattaya applies to everyday bridge players trying to have a legitimate event, but I imagine there are many illegal gambling and card events that might land participants in legal trouble.
Being Arrested: What to Know and Do
Getting arrested? Individual laws apply in different countries, although (most) countries will follow an equivalent process when it comes to booking in and elements like your “one phone call.” It’s a potential terrifying situation that most people imagine they will never find themselves in.
Ignore most of what you’ve ever seen on television. Here are a few applicable pointers.
• Always ask for the name and rank of the A/O.
It’s your right to request the name and subsequent rank of arresting officers, and it’s their responsibility to answer accordingly. It’s an important detail that many people let slip in the midst of panic.
• Arguments won’t help.
Arguing at the site of the arrest will rarely help. In fact, it’ll just add a charge of resisting arrest to what you’re facing now. Sometimes it’s possible to explain the facts about the situation to officers at the scene, but usually all discussions and arguments are best left for the station and the courtroom.
• Variations on the Miranda Rights exist in several countries.
There are variations on the standard Miranda rights in several countries, and these are usually read out to you at the same time – along with a declaration that you understand and agree – at the time of your arrest (and at the time of the signing of the applicable charge sheet).
At no point should anyone be coerced or forced into a confession: Even though you’ll be asked, there’s no obligation to make a statement or confession on the spot – and it’s advised that you don’t say a word without a lawyer. Many things can be said in a state of panic that can look very bad later, even when you’re innocent.
• There’s always a legal holding time.
Most countries have laws that apply to holding time – that is, how long you can be kept in custody before you’re allowed time in court (or a bail application). It’s always a good idea to check.
• Make your “one call” to your lawyer.
Like reading your rights, most countries have laws that apply to legal representation. If you have a lawyer, now is an excellent time to call them – and if you don’t have one, most situations allow for one to be appointed.
• Ask about the charges.
Always ask about the charges, especially when it’s vague. One of the rights you have is to know exactly what you’re being held or charged for.
• After holding and booking comes bail.
Where there are charges, there’s usually the possibility of a bail application done by a lawyer in cases where crimes weren’t violent ones. Once bail has been granted, you might be out of holding, but still need to appear again later on the charges. Again, get a lawyer.