ICCG - Other laws

Cultural Orientation Guide (Hispanic) - continued (page 4)

A Guide to Doing Well in Bowling Green
Written by Marty Deputy, Director of the International Center

OTHER LAWS

Laws involving cars, documents, alcohol and drugs, and family violence are often broken by newcomers. Some things that are legal (or overlooked) in other countries are serious crimes in the United States. For example, it is a crime to try to pay off a police in the United States. Do not try it!

Alcohol intoxication (AI) in a public place is against the law. It is legal to be intoxicated inside your home. If the police ask you to come outside your house when you are intoxicated, do not go outside. You could be arrested for AI in a public place!
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is more serious. You will lose your license, spend jail time, or have to pay a high fine.
If you choose to drink alcohol, drink moderately. Never drink and drive. Never drink or be drunk even if you are a rider in the car. Do not even hold an open can of beer.
It is against the law to threaten to hurt or kill another person.
It is against the law to strike another person. The crime is much more serious when a weapon such as a knife, gun, or stick is used.
It is against the law to carry a concealed deadly weapon (gun in pocket).
It is against the law to carry a fake Social Security or Green Card.
It is against the law to be cruel to animals. Dogs in town must be kept in a fence or on a leash.
It is against the law to fight or disturb the neighborhood with loud music or other noise.
Parents who do not take care of their children or regularly send them to school late can be charged with child neglect. NEVER leave a small child at home alone. NEVER leave a small child alone in a car even a few minutes. These are criminal offenses.
A license is required to hunt or fish. Learn the laws before you hunt or fish. Licenses can be bought at most places that sell bait or equipment. Get written permission before you go onto someone's property to hunt or fish.

If You Are Arrested

The following links are for downloading information about what to do if you are arrested. Download and print the document(s), and then cut the information in four sections. Put each section in plastic. Keep them in your wallet to tell you what to do if you are arrested by the police.

"What to do if you are arrested" English version
"What to do if you are arrested" Spanish version

Alcohol

Alcohol intoxication (AI) in public can lead to an arrest by the police. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is more serious. It can lead to a jail term and loss of the driver's license. Repeated offences may be a felony and lead to deportation or prevent getting a Green Card. Don't do it!

There are many laws regulating alcohol use in the United States. Alcohol and drug laws are different in different counties and states, but in all states driving with alcohol in the body (DWI) is a very serious crime. A drunk person riding in a car may also be arrested. Even holding an open can of beer in a car is a crime. A DWI may result in being arrested, being fined, going to jail, or losing the driver's license.

Our advice: Do not put your foot in a car on the same day you have drunk any alcohol.

Violence

One of the best ways to avoid violence is to avoid alcohol. Find other ways to have fun or deal with homesick or sad feelings. Punishment for a crime is more serious if a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs when the crime is committed. Alcohol is usually the cause of family violence.

Family Violence

It is absolutely against the law for family members to hit or abuse other family members. This includes hitting with a weapon or with the hand or foot, sexual abuse, or continued verbal abuse. Barren River Area Safe Space (BRASS) is devoted to protecting families from violence. If you or someone in your family is the victim of family violence, call someone you trust to take you for the help you need.

The International Center will counsel you and support you in your decision. We will interpret for you with BRASS or refer you to Lifeskills, which can provide professional counseling to adults and children.

If a woman, man, or child has suffered violence from another family member, he/she can file an Emergency Protective Order (EPO). The EPO will force the person to stay 1000 or more feet away at all times. To file an EPO go to the Warren County Attorney's Office and sign a paper making the request. The order will take several days to complete. After the order is served, call the police if the person comes near. Receiving an EPO is not a crime. Breaking the EPO is a crime. You must go back to the County Attorney's office and sign a paper removing the EPO before the family member may come back home. Otherwise he/she may be sent to jail even if you have invited him/her to come back home.

Drugs

Possession of marijuana and other illegal drugs such as cocaine, crack, and speed are felonies and lead to prison and deportation. Do not buy, sell, or carry any illegal drugs for yourself or others. Do not allow illegal drugs in your car or home.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs are ordered by a doctor and are intended only for the person they were prescribed for during the visit. Do not sell or share prescription medicine with another person. Do not drive a car if the prescription bottle says the drug may cause sleepiness. You can be arrested just as you would be for alcohol intoxication.

Reporting a Crime

If someone breaks the law, call the police. The police will come and write a report. If the police do not see the law being broken they cannot make an arrest, but you can go to the County Attorney the next day and make a report and the person will be arrested. If you do not report the broken law, it will not be punished.

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