If you are detained or arrested, or know of someone who is, provide the American Citizen Services office in the consular district where their relative lived with information on the detained or arrested American.  Please note the Embassy and consulates’ contact information here.

We can help:

• Provide a list of local attorneys who speak English
• Contact family, friends, or employers of the detained U.S. citizen with their written permission
• Visit the detained U.S. citizen regularly and provide reading materials and vitamin supplements, where appropriate
• Help ensure that prison officials are providing appropriate medical care for you
• Provide a general overview of the local criminal justice process
• Inform the detainee of local and U.S.-based resources to assist victims of crime that may be available to them
• If they would like, ensuring that prison officials are permitting visits with  a member of the clergy of the religion of your choice
• Establish an OCS Trust so friends and family can transfer funds to imprisoned U.S. citizens, when permissible under prison regulations

We cannot:

• Get U.S. citizens out of jail overseas
• State to a court that anyone is guilty or innocent
• Provide legal advice or represent U.S. citizens in court overseas
• Serve as official interpreters or translators
• Pay legal, medical, or other fees for U.S. citizens overseas

For a list of English-speaking Italian attorneys please see: Lawyers in Italy.