For most people, the word vacation stirs mental images of blended cocktails and white sandy beaches.

A stint in a foreign jail cell isn't usually on a traveler's to-do list.

So how do you avoid getting arrested while visiting a different country?

In many cases it's best to let common sense be your guide.  It also won't hurt to brush up on local laws.  You will also want to remember that just because things are one way in the US, that's not to say they are the same way throughout the globe.

Harsh International Laws

Most people have read stories or have seen news broadcasts about international arrest nightmares.  For example:

• Dubai Drug Laws: A British tourist was sentenced to serve 48 months in a Dubai prison.  He was arrested after customs officials found trace amounts of cannabis stuck to his shoe. A person close to the case said it was about the size of a grain of sugar.

• United Arab Emirates Drug Laws: Several years prior to that, law enforcement officials within the UAE detained a Swiss man because they found poppy seeds on his clothing.  He is also serving a four-year prison term for that offense.

• Greece Photography: In another incident, a group of airplane enthusiasts were sentenced to serve 36 months in a Greek prison.  Authorities arrested the men after it was determined they were taking photographs at a military air show.  The men were charged with espionage.  The defendants served a year behind bars before the conviction was overturned.

Mexico Arrests

Those words alone can be enough to send shivers up the spine of most Californians.  Hundreds of thousands of people travel to south of the border destinations each year.  Everyone has heard horror stories about unlawful police officers shaking people down for money.

Arrests in Mexico can be terrifying. This story was so outrageous it made the national news.

In early 2013, an Arizona mother was jailed for what seems to have been a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.   Mexican law enforcement officials pulled over a bus that she and her husband were traveling on.

The vehicle was searched and more than 12 pounds of marijuana was found strapped to the bottom of her seat.  The woman was held in a Mexican prison for more than a week before State Department officials were able to arrange her release.

Suffice to say, an international arrest can quickly turn a pleasure trip into a person's worst nightmare.

Getting Out of International Jails

Getting arrested abroad can be very easy.  Getting out of jail is an entirely different story.  You will want to remember:

• Innocent Until Proven Guilty Might Not Apply: This presumption is given to persons who are arrested in the United States, but it's not a global concept.
• Hiring A Bondsman May Not Be An Option: The United States and the Philippines are the only countries that allow for commercial bail bonds.
• Getting Out Of Jail Could Cost Big Bucks: Some countries will not allow a person to be released pending trial unless they post their full bail amount with the court in cash.
• Pre-trial Release Might Not Be On The Table: Certain countries require the accused remain behind bars until their legal matter is decided by a judge.
• Overseas Rules Are Often Quite Different:  Japanese jails are able to detain someone for nearly a month without bail and arrestees do not have a right to trial by jury. In some places, law enforcement officials do not need to have probable cause to search you.
• You Could Receive Punishments That Would Be Illegal In The US: Prohibitions against cruel and usual punishment may not exist. An example of this goes back to an 18 year-old American male who was arrested for vandalism in Singapore.  He was sentenced to four month jail sentence along with four flogging strokes with a rattan cane.
• Know What You're Getting Yourself Into: The US State Department recommends travelers read published travel advisories.  This information is available online and it lets vacationers know what places are safe and which are not.   Travelers who are detained in a country that has a US consulate can request a visit from a United States official.
• Just Say "NO":  International drug laws are often very harsh.  The most minor of offenses can land you in prison with a years-long sentence.  Some countries sentence drug offenders to death.   Iran, Thailand and Indonesia often impose death sentences for drug convictions.

The bottom line is simple.  Vacations are best enjoyed outside of a jail cell.  Use common sense and don't go out of your way to break laws.  If you have questions about the types of behavior that can get you into trouble, be sure to do your research before you get on the plane.