An Italian appeals court acquitted Amanda Knox of the 2007 slaying of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Knox has been in jail for four years awaiting trial and upon conviction. Her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, was also absolved of wrongdoing.

• Amanda Knox acquitted of killing Meredith Kercher

• Sentenced on related charge to time served

• Four-year ordeal in foreign justice system at end

Freed Former Exchange Student to Head Home Tuesday

Knox was found guilty of defaming a man she implicated in Kercher's murder. For that she was sentenced to a three years in jail. Because she's already served that much time and more, she's been set free.

Being arrested and accused of crime abroad is one of the last things most travelers would think of. Although the risk is small, the consequences can be enormous. Forget about something as sensational as intentional murder. Imagine instead what might happen when you take your rental car onto the highways. A deadly "accident" on unfamiliar roads could well spark charges of vehicular homicide.

Knox's ordeal makes it clear that when you travel internationally, you're not in Kansas anymore. For starters, the laws are different. In the US defamation is a civil matter. In Italy you can be charged criminally for defaming not just an individual, but even the police.

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