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Comment by qwerta | Hacker News Reader

That is horrible! It sounds like story from Kazachstan or Africa. I hope your friend is better now.

Unfortunately, it wasn't Kazachstan or Africa. It was in the much vaunted Silicon Valley. This occurred in the Santa Clara County jail just across from the San Jose airport.

Nope. In kaz, the police are corrupt, and will shake you down for a bribe, but arresting people is way too much effort. I'm far more scared of US law enforcement than I am Kazakh.

Very likely some sort of bribe could be arranged in most parts of Africa as well.

Coincidentally, I (the author) have had experience bribing police in Kazakhstan: http://www.offsilkroadin.com/2009/11/the-last-hurdle/

Likewise. Bet you didn't have to bribe the Russian secret police in kaz, though! Much tougher crowd. Surprised you got pulled up over an expired visa - have seen people get in and out with no visa, just a wad of cash.

He is, this occurred over 10 years ago.

Or something that would happen in the Czech Republic or Greece

I am not saying it could not happen in EU or post-soviet country, but I find it unlikely. Neglect is criminal offense here, he was diagnosed by doctor so there was paper trail. Also approach to medical care is totally different.

And maximal imprisonment without conviction here is 1 year. Not so popular ex-politician was held for 18 months on corruption charges and it was national scandal.

Sadly, in our "free" country you are held until the charges are resolved if you are denied bail or don't have enough to post it. He told me someone he was there with had been in for over 8 years fighting his case, and he still hadn't gone to trial. The defendant does have to agree to such extensions, but given that essentially every crime on our books carries penalties up to 30 years, it's not hard to see why people postpone them while preparing a defense.

I just looked up criminal law in Czech rep. Maximal length depends on maximal length of sentence:

* normal crime (under 4 years) such as less violent robbery, bar fight... 1 year

* violent crime with death or permanent injury (around 8 years sentence) 2 years

* 4 years in exceptional violent cases (over 15 years or life-time sentence).

There is also condition that trial must start within first 1/3 of time period.

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