Does US law apply in other countries?

[asdf]

Recently, Manuel Noriega was tried in a US court and imprisoned in a US jail. Does the US law apply in Panama? As far as I know Mr. Noriega has never been in the US, but there's a lot of things I don't know. If our laws apply in other countries, do other countries' law apply here? I'm not defending anything he's done, as I don't even know the guy, but doesn't it bring up an interesting legal point?

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by asdf:
Recently, Manuel Noriega was tried in a US court and imprisoned in a US jail. Does the US law apply in Panama? As far as I know Mr. Noriega has never been in the US, but there's a lot of things I don't know. If our laws apply in other countries, do other countries' law apply here? I'm not defending anything he's done, as I don't even know the guy, but doesn't it bring up an interesting legal point? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There are two situations that come to mind where U.S. law is used in foreign countries:

1. Reciprocity - This is where two countries agree on certain laws for particular crimes and one country allows the other to come in and exercise that law; e.g., Panama "allowed" the U.S. into their country to nab Mr. Noriega.

2. Embassy - The United States has many embassies in other nations. The "soil" upon which those embassies are sitting are considered U.S. Soil; and, as such, U.S. law applies.

Thanks for writing.

IAAL



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[asdf]

Hi, Thanks for your answers. To me, the law seems to be such a ambiguous and titanic subject, that's open to so many interpretations, as to be almost vaporous.
For example the president's questioning of the meaning of the word 'is'.
But, overall, I agree that most of the problems on this site are more straight forward. Thanks

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by asdf:
Hi, Thanks for your answers. To me, the law seems to be such a ambiguous and titanic subject, that's open to so many interpretations, as to be almost vaporous.
For example the president's questioning of the meaning of the word 'is'.
But, overall, I agree that most of the problems on this site are more straight forward. Thanks<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dear asdf:

Depending on the era, and then the needs of the country, laws change with the times; e.g., statutes are created due to new moral views or changes in technologies. And then, still others are "taken off the books" because they are outmoded.

Every State has its own law books and books of Appellate decisions, that track changing times, and the "will" of the people. For example, in California there is a motorcycle helmet law. Yet, in other States there is no such law. While we have freedom of movement in this country, from one State to the next, you and I are "expected" to know "and abide by" the laws of the State we travel to. Ergo, "ignorance of the law is no excuse."

IAAL



------------------
By reading the “Response” to your question or comment, you agree that: The opinions expressed herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE" are designed to provide educational information only and are not intended to, nor do they, offer legal advice. Opinions expressed to you in this site are not intended to, nor does it, create an attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice to any person reviewing such information. No electronic communication with "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE," on its own, will generate an attorney-client relationship, nor will it be considered an attorney-client privileged communication. You further agree that you will obtain your own attorney's advice and counsel for your questions responded to herein by "I AM ALWAYS LIABLE."