Criminal defence, white-collar crime, regulatory investigations and extradition matters for foreigners.
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Yes — in all EU countries you have the right to legal representation from the moment of arrest. You also have the right to an interpreter if you do not speak the local language.
Contact an English-speaking criminal defence lawyer immediately. Do not answer police questions without a lawyer present.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Spain's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsSpanish criminal law is governed by the Código Penal (LO 10/1995) and the Ley de Enjuiciamiento Criminal (LECrim). Offences are classified as delitos leves (minor), delitos menos graves, and delitos graves. The right to silence and right to an abogado are guaranteed from the moment of detention (CE art. 17 & 24).
| Court | Jurisdiction | Abogado? | Procurador? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juzgado de Instrucción | Investigation phase; juicios de faltas/delitos leves | Recommended | No |
| Juzgado de lo Penal | Delitos with up to 5 years prison | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory |
| Audiencia Provincial | Delitos graves (5+ years); crimes with jury | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory |
| Tribunal Superior de Justicia (TSJ) | Appeals; regional deputies, presidents | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory |
| Tribunal Supremo (Sala 2ª) | Cassation; ministers, MPs | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory |
| Audiencia Nacional | Terrorism, drug trafficking, large-scale fraud | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory |
| Stage | Turno de Oficio (Legal Aid) | Private Abogado (Madrid) |
|---|---|---|
| Police station / guardia civil (detención) | Free | €300–800 |
| Instrucción phase (Juzgado de Instrucción) | State-covered | €1,500–5,000 |
| Juicio oral (Juzgado de lo Penal) | State-covered | €2,000–8,000 |
| Audiencia Provincial trial | State-covered | €5,000–20,000 |
| Recurso de casación (Tribunal Supremo) | State-covered | €8,000–30,000+ |
Turno de oficio (legal aid): Free if gross monthly income below €1,150 (2025 threshold, approximately). Apply at the Colegio de Abogados. Not means-tested for initial detention phase — duty lawyer is always free.
