The Problem
There is a common misconception among tourists that a foreign passport acts as a "get out of jail free" card. You might assume that if you commit a crime, the worst that will happen is a fine or immediate deportation back to your home country.
How the Law Works in Turkey
This is completely false. Under the principle of territoriality in the Turkish Penal Code, any person who commits a crime within the borders of Turkey—regardless of their nationality or tourist status—is subject to Turkish laws and Turkish courts. If the crime dictates a prison sentence, you will serve that sentence in a Turkish prison, just like a local citizen.
What the Tourist Should Do
Respect local laws implicitly. Avoid physical altercations, do not drink and drive, stay far away from illegal drugs, and be extremely careful about what you post on social media (insulting the state or state founders is a jailable offense). If you are accused of a crime, treat the situation with the utmost seriousness; do not brush it off thinking your embassy will magically save you.
The Risks
If convicted of a serious offense, you will serve actual hard time in a Turkish correctional facility. Only after completing your sentence (or being granted parole) will you be handed over to immigration authorities for deportation. Furthermore, a criminal conviction in Turkey may appear on international background checks, ruining your future travel and employment prospects globally.
LetFix Solution
When facing a potential prison sentence, you need a defense strategy aimed at securing an acquittal, reducing the charges to a fine, or converting the sentence into immediate deportation rather than jail time.
