![Phone Call](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0RmKr.jpg) (Image [Source](http://www.mchumor.com/new_2010_04_29.html))

According to [Cracked.com](http://www.cracked.com/article_18385_7-bullshit-police-myths-everyone-believes-thanks-to-movies_p2.html) the "one phone call" rule is a Hollywood invention. They base this on the information [this attorney](http://www.jkrlaw.com/video-qa/what-happens-after-arrest) gives:

> 
> **The one phone call is another one of
>  the urban myths.** You may or may not be
>  permitted to use the phone. Generally,
>  out of courtesy they will allow you to
>  make one phone call. Often there are
>  phones in the jail, and people can
>  make as many phone calls as they want
>  as long as there is somebody to accept
>  collect charges.
> 
> 
> 

Also heard in movies and TV-shows is the [Miranda Warning](http://www.usconstitution.net/miranda.html) (which is real):

> 
> *You have the right to remain silent.
>  Anything you say can and will be used
>  against you in a court of law. You
>  have the right to speak to an
>  attorney, and to have an attorney
>  present during any questioning. If you
>  cannot afford a lawyer, one will be
>  provided for you at government
>  expense*.
> 
> 
> 

It stands to reason that if *"**you have the right to speak to an attorney**"*, you should be provided with the means to do so (e.g a phone call).

And according to [this](http://www.legalupdateonline.com/4th/277#cont281) it is indeed so:

> 
> An arrested person has the right,
>  immediately after booking and, except
>  when physically impossible, no later
>  than three (3) hours after arrest, to
>  make at least three (3) completed
>  telephone calls. The calls are to be
>  free if completed in the local calling
>  area, and are at the arrestee's
>  expense if outside the local area. 
>  The calls must be allowed immediately
>  on request, or as soon as practicable.
> 
> 
> 

---

From what I can gather the "one phone call" is **not** a myth perpetrated by Hollywood, but indeed a right.

**So what's the truth?** 

And what's the "phone call" policy in other countries? Do their 'Miranda' rights include a free phone call?

**Just to clarify:**

I merely mention the *Miranda Warning* because I'm speculating the 'phone call' rule might derive from there. But my question is not about Miranda, it's about whether or not the law actually grants you the **right** to a phone call.