Current Affairs and Criminal Analysis Blog
An essential resource to stay informed with the latest legislative news, in-depth jurisprudential analysis, and practical advice from our experts.
call91 078 65 74Economic & Corporate
Organic Law 14/2022: Reformed Economic Crimes in Spain
Organic Law 14/2022 deeply reformed private corruption (Art. 286 bis CP), corruption in international transactions (Art.
Professional Intrusion (Art. 403 CP) in Spain: Criminal Defence
Professional intrusion under Art. 403 CP punishes practising a profession without an official qualifying degree.
A Tax Authority Inspection in Spain: Your Rights and Criminal Defence
Has the tax authority started a tax inspection? We explain your rights, when an inspection can turn into a tax offence, and why you need a criminal lawyer…
Money Laundering Laws in Spain: Expats and Investors Guide (2026)
Spain's anti-money laundering laws are among Europe's strictest. This guide explains how expats, property buyers, and business owners can inadvertently…
Can I Be Arrested for a Debt? Asset Concealment Explained
Can you be arrested for failing to pay a debt? We explain when a debt becomes the offence of asset concealment (Art.
Accused of a Tax Crime in Spain? Defense Guide for Taxpayers
If the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) is investigating you or the prosecutor has filed criminal charges for tax fraud, this guide explains your rights and…
Compliance & Prevention
Who Must Prove Compliance Works: The 2025 Shift
For years the company carried the burden of proving its prevention programme was effective. Recent Supreme Court case law shifts course: we explain what changes and what it means for your organisation.
Criminal Defence in ESG Investigations in Spain: 2026 Strategy
When an ESG investigation opens, time works against you. We analyse the lawyer-compliance officer coordination, the conflict between reporting obligations…
CSRD: Impact on the Criminal Audit of Multinationals in Spain
The CSRD Directive requires sustainability information to be audited to the same standards as annual accounts.
ESG Compliance and Criminal Liability in Spain (2026)
The arrival of the CSRD and CSDDD Directives has turned ESG obligations into a direct source of corporate criminal liability.
Corporate Criminal Liability (Art. 31 bis CP) in Spain
Since 2010 companies can be criminally convicted in Spain. We explain the two routes of imputation, the compliance requirements that exempt liability and…
Mandatory Whistleblower Channel in Spain (Law 2/2023): Company Guide
Does your company have more than 50 employees? The internal whistleblower channel has been mandatory since 2023.
Fraud & Scams
What Sentence Does Fraud Carry if You Have No Criminal Record?
Basic fraud (art. 249 CP): 6 months to 3 years in prison. With no prior record and a suspended sentence (art. 80 CP), a first conviction need not mean actual imprisonment.
Procedural Fraud in Spain: Deceiving the Court (Legal Guide 2026)
What is procedural fraud? We explain Art. 250.1.7 CP: deceiving the judge with false evidence, manipulated documents and fraudulent claims.
How to Defend Yourself Against Fraud Charges: Complete Guide
How to defend yourself against fraud charges: complete guide covering common scenarios, evidence, and defense strategies.
Fraud vs Breach of Contract in Spain: When Is It Criminal?
Not every unpaid debt is fraud. Learn the difference between civil breach and criminal fraud under Spanish law.
I've Been Scammed: What Do I Do? Step-by-Step Legal Guide 2026
You've been scammed. Now what? Step-by-step legal guide: report to police, preserve evidence, hire a lawyer, and file criminal charges.
Pyramid and Multi-Level Schemes: A Guide to Recovering Your Money
We analyse how pyramid schemes and unlawful multi-level businesses operate. The legal steps to report them and strategies to recover the investment.
Misappropriation
Misappropriation (Art. 253 Criminal Code): Defense Keys
Keeping money or goods received with a duty to return them is a crime (Art. 253 Criminal Code). Penalties, differences with fraud and defense.
Misappropriation of Company Money: Criminal Defence
Have you been accused of the misappropriation of money, goods or documents? We explain what this offence is, the penalties, the difference from theft and…
Theft, Robbery & Property
Article 235 CP: Aggravated Theft 2026 · Penalties of 1 to 3 Years
A detailed analysis of Art. 235 CP on the offence of aggravated theft, prison penalties and criminal defence strategies.
Theft vs Robbery in Spain: Penalties and Legal Differences (Comparison)
Theft and robbery have fundamental legal differences. The distinction can mean the difference between a fine and 5 years in prison.
Article 234 Criminal Code: Basic Theft · Fine or 6-18 Months (2026)
Art. 234 of the Spanish Criminal Code (basic theft): a fine if the amount is below 400 euros, prison of 6-18 months if it exceeds that threshold or the…
I've Been Robbed in Spain: What Do I Do? Step-by-Step Legal Guide (2026)
Robbed of your phone, at home or in your car? We explain step by step what to do: report, insurance, lawyer, trial.
Shoplifting in Spain: Will I Get a Criminal Record? (2026)
Caught shoplifting in a Spanish supermarket? We explain whether you will get a criminal record, the penalties for minor theft, speedy trials and the new…
Squatting in Spain: Property Owner Rights and Criminal Defence (2026)
Has your property been squatted, or are you accused of squatting? We explain Art. 245 CP, fast-track eviction, the owner's rights and criminal defence…
Sexual Offenses
Child Sextortion in Spain: Legal Protocol (2026)
Sextortion of minors combines extortion (Art. 243 CP), grooming (Art. 183 CP) and child pornography (Art. 189 CP).
Procuring Premises (Art. 187 bis CP): Profiting From Prostitution
Renting properties for the exercise of prostitution may constitute the offence of procuring premises if habitual profit concurs and exploitation is favoured.
Chemical Submission (GHB, Drink Spiking): Defence After LO 10/2022
Accused or victim of an offence involving chemical submission? We analyse how it is proven, the substances involved, the aggravating circumstance…
False Sexual Assault Accusations in Spain: How to Defend Yourself (2026)
Falsely accused of rape or sexual assault? A complete defence guide: credibility expert reports, digital data extraction, presumption of innocence and a…
Age of Sexual Consent in Spain: 16 Years
What is the age of sexual consent in Spain? We analyse Art. 183 bis and the Romeo and Juliet exception.
Removing Records from the Sex Offender Registry: Deadlines
Entered in the Sex Offender Registry? Periods of 10-30 years, the effects on employment and how to have the record cancelled.
Life & Physical Integrity
Fast-Track Trial for Assault: What to Expect & How to Prepare
Fast-track trial for assault in Spain: timeline, procedure, plea options, and how to prepare your defense.
Medical Malpractice Criminal Law in Spain: Complete Guide 2026
Medical malpractice under criminal law in Spain: types of negligence, when to file criminal charges, and expected compensation.
Medical Negligence: When to Sue and What Compensation to Claim
Have you suffered medical negligence? We explain when you can bring a claim, what evidence you need, what compensation you can claim and the deadlines for…
Minor Assault Trial: Practical Guide (2026)
Minor assault trial in Spain: what to expect, how to prepare, and strategies for both prosecution and defense.
Reviewable Permanent Imprisonment in Spain: Everything You Need to Know
Does life imprisonment exist in Spain? We analyse reviewable permanent imprisonment: when it applies, how long it really lasts, how the review works and…
Homicide vs Murder in Spain: Penalties and Defence 2026
The difference between homicide (Art. 138 CP) and murder (Art. 139 CP) can mean up to 10 more years in prison.
Other Crimes Against Persons
Workplace Harassment (Mobbing): When It Is a Crime
Not every workplace conflict is mobbing. We explain when workplace harassment constitutes an offense under Art.
Sextortion in Spain: Criminal Defence and Digital Forensics (2026)
Sextortion combines extortion (Art. 243 CP), disclosure of secrets (Art. 197.7 CP) and threats (Art. 169 CP).
Extortion: What It Is, the Penalties and How to Act as Victim or Accused
A victim of extortion or accused of it? A complete guide: what it is, the penalties (1-5 years), sextortion, blackmail, what to do and how to defend yourself.
Unlawful Detention and Kidnapping (Art. 163): Guide to Penalties and Defence
When is it lawful to detain someone? What is the difference from kidnapping? We analyse in depth the offence of deprivation of liberty and the high…
Failure to Assist and Hit-and-Run: When It Is an Offence and the Penalties
Leaving the scene of an accident or failing to help an injured person can carry prison penalties. We analyse Art.
Family & Domestic Violence
The Article 416 LECrim Exemption Explained: When a Relative May Refuse to Testify
What the Article 416 LECrim exemption is, who can rely on it, its five exceptions and what happens if you report and later choose to stay silent.
Is a Complaint Enough to Arrest? Gender Violence and Sexual Assault
When can police arrest after a complaint of gender violence or sexual assault? Evidence, purpose, proportionality and why a complaint alone is not enough.
Vicarious Violence: What It Is and How Criminal Law Addresses It
Vicarious violence is violence exerted against children or other loved ones to harm the woman.
Bigamy and Illegal Marriages (Art. 217 CP) in Spain: Criminal Defence
Bigamy is still an offence in Spain (Art. 217 CP) with penalties of up to 1 year in prison.
Family Abandonment in Spain: Criminal Consequences of Non-Payment of Maintenance
Not paying the maintenance set in a divorce judgment is not just a civil debt; it can constitute an offence of family abandonment punishable by prison.
False Accusations in Domestic Violence: Defence
Being falsely accused of domestic or gender violence has devastating consequences. The defence strategy, the key evidence and the offence of false accusation.
Crimes Against Liberty
Coercion Offense: Complete Legal Guide (2026)
Complete guide to the coercion offense in Spain: types, penalties, the fine line with threats, and defense strategies.
Trespass & Home Invasion: Criminal Defense Guide in Spain
Entering someone's home without permission or refusing to leave when asked: the crime of trespass in Spain. Penalties, defenses, and practical cases.
Assault on Authority (Art. 550 CP): Penalties and Defence
Is pushing a police officer an offence? What penalty is there for resisting arrest? We analyse Art. 550 CP on assault on authority and resistance.
Coercion (Art. 172 CP): A Legal and Real Estate Guide
Is it an offence to change the lock or cut off the power to a non-paying tenant? When does a family argument become coercion?
Stalking & Harassment in Spain: Legal Defense Guide
The crime of stalking (Art. 172 ter CP): what constitutes harassment, digital evidence, penalties (1-2 years), and defense strategies.
Criminal Threats & Blackmail: Legal Guide to Art. 169 CP
Criminal threats and blackmail in Spain: types of threats, penalties (1-5 years), conditional threats, and defense strategies.
Crimes Against Honor & Dignity
Slander and Insults on Social Media: Defense
Posting a false accusation or a serious insult online can be a crime. The difference between slander and insult, penalties and defense strategy.
Criminal Defense for High-Profile Individuals
When the suspect is an executive, athlete or public figure, the reputational risk runs alongside the criminal one. How the defense is coordinated.
Slander and Insult: Differences, Penalties and Defence ▷ 2026 Guide
Accused of slander or insult? We explain the difference between these offences, the exceptio veritatis, the penalties and the most effective defence…
Hate Crimes and Discrimination: Criminal Defence Guide 2026
Accused of a hate crime? We explain what conduct is punishable, the aggravating factor of Art.
Identity Theft: 2026 Guide (Social Media and ID Documents)
Is it an offence to create a fake profile on Instagram or Facebook? What happens if someone uses my ID document? We analyse Art.
Hate Crimes on Social Media: Where is the Limit?
When does a tweet cross the criminal line? We analyze Art. 510 CP and recent jurisprudence on digital hate speech.
Road Safety
Drink-Driving Limits 2026: What Was Rejected and What Still Applies
Parliament rejected the 0.2 g/l blood-alcohol limit on 18 March 2026. We explain which limits actually apply and when drink-driving becomes a crime.
DUI Defence (Art. 379 CP): Breathalyzer & Licence
Tested positive on a Spanish DUI stop? We explain the criminal vs. administrative thresholds, the consequences, and the technical defence lines that work to…
Drink-Driving on an E-Scooter (VMP) in Spain: Fine or Criminal Offence? (2026)
Is it a criminal offence to test positive for alcohol while riding an e-scooter in Spain? Yes.
Road Safety Offenses in Spain: Complete Legal Guide 2026
Complete guide to road safety offenses in Spain: drink-driving, drugs, excess speed, reckless driving, driving without a licence, e-scooters and leaving the…
Caught at a Breathalyzer Checkpoint in Madrid: Legal Steps (2026)
Stopped at a breathalyzer checkpoint in Madrid? Step-by-step legal guide on your rights and the critical first hours.
Driving Without a License in Spain: Prison Penalties 2026
Driving without a license in Spain: current penalties in 2026, when it's a crime vs. administrative offense, and defense options.
Corporate Crimes
Corporate Crimes: Unfaithful Management and False Accounting
When business management crosses the red line. We analyse the criminal liability of the de facto director and the consequences of cooking the annual accounts.
Deadlocked 50/50 Company in Spain: Criminal and Commercial Solutions
When two 50% shareholders cannot agree, the company is paralysed. We analyse the legal ways out: from judicial dissolution to a criminal complaint for…
Off-the-Books Accounting in Spain: How to Detect It and the Consequences
Double bookkeeping (off-the-books accounting) is a criminal time bomb. We analyse how it is detected, which offences it involves and the triple threat:…
Forgery & Counterfeiting
Public Safety
Is an expandable baton (telescopic defence) legal in Spain?
The expandable baton or telescopic defence is one of the weapons banned by the Weapons Regulation for private individuals. The risk: a fine under Organic Law 4/2015 or an offence under article 563 of the Criminal Code.
Knives and bladed weapons: what you can legally carry
Which knives and bladed weapons are legal in Spain, which are banned, and when carrying one in public turns from a fine into a criminal offence.
Is Pepper Spray Legal in Spain? Requirements, Fines and Offence
Only officially approved self-defence sprays may be bought and carried legally in Spain. Non-authorised ones lead to a fine under LO 4/2015 or an offence under art. 563 CP.
Illegal Weapons Possession: Art. 564 Criminal Code
Holding a firearm without a license or permit is a crime (Art. 564 Criminal Code). Common scenarios, the stockpiling offense (Art. 566) and defense.
Public Disorder Offense: Complete Guide to Penalties & Defense
Public disorder offense in Spain: what counts as the crime, penalties, protest-related charges, and effective defense strategies.
Animal Cruelty in Spain: When Is It an Offence? Penalties and Defence 2026
Accused of animal cruelty? We explain when it is an offence and when it is an administrative infringement, the penalties after the 2023 reform, and the most…
Drug Trafficking
Drug Trafficking Sentence for a First Offence in Spain
What sentence does drug trafficking carry for a first offence in Spain? The basic offence under Art. 368 CP starts at 3 years, so a clean record alone does not guarantee a suspended sentence. We explain why, and the routes that exist.
Fuel Supply to Drug Boats (Art. 568.2 CP) in Spain
The new Art. 568.2 CP, introduced by Organic Law 1/2026, criminalises the unlawful and reckless handling of liquid fuels used to supply drug boats.
Arrested With Drugs in Spain: Rights and Defence Guide 2026
Arrested with drugs? First of all: do NOT make a statement. A complete guide to your rights as a detained person, reference quantities and the difference…
Cocaine Trafficking Penalties in Spain 2026: Complete Guide
What penalties does cocaine trafficking carry in Spain? A complete analysis of Art. 368.1 CP: basic type, notable quantity and criminal organisation.
Is Smoking Cannabis Legal in Spain? What the Law Says in 2026
Cannabis in Spain (2026): what is legal, what the Public Safety Law fines (600-30,000 euros) and when it becomes a criminal offence.
Drug Possession vs Trafficking in Spain: Where Is the Line? (2026)
In Spain, there's no written law defining the exact amount that separates personal use from trafficking.
Public Administration
Article 417 CP: Disclosure of Secrets and Restricted Data by Public Officials
The offence under Article 417 CP: disclosure of secrets by public officials, penalties, special disqualification, moral damages and how it differs from Article 197 CP.
I Was Falsely Accused and the Case Was Dismissed: Can I Sue?
How to prosecute a false accusation (art. 456 CP) after a dismissal: the requirement of a final decision, proving intent, what you can claim, and the alternative of calumny.
False Accusation (Art. 456 CP): Consequences and Defense in Spain
Falsely accusing someone of a crime has severe legal and reputational consequences. We analyze the penalties and how to defend against malicious imputations.
How to Report a Crime: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Have you been the victim of a crime? We explain where and how to file a report, what documents to bring and what happens next. A practical guide for victims.
Obstruction of Justice in Spain: Complete Legal Guide
Lying to a judge, destroying evidence, or warning a suspect: when does it become obstruction of justice? Complete legal guide to Art. 463-467 CP.
Crimes Against Public Administration: A Practical Legal Guide
Malfeasance, bribery, embezzlement... We analyse the main offences affecting public officials and authorities and the defence strategies.
Territory & Environment
Environmental Crime: Article 325 of the Criminal Code
Article 325 of the Criminal Code punishes emissions and discharges capable of seriously harming the natural balance. It is an endangerment offense.
Environmental Crimes in Spain: When Discharges Are Criminal
Environmental crimes (Arts. 325-340 CP) are one of the fastest-growing areas of Spanish criminal law.
Urban Planning Crimes: Illegal Construction Defense in Spain
Building on protected land or without a license can lead to criminal charges in Spain (Art. 319 CP).
Criminal Procedure
Article 100.2 of the Spanish Prison Regulation: Working Outside Without Third Grade
The flexibility principle of Article 100.2 of the Spanish Prison Regulation: a mixed regime between grades, who can apply and how it is processed.
What Sentence Do Assault Injuries Carry if It's My First Offence? (2026)
If it is your first time before the criminal courts, an assault charge rarely ends in prison. We explain the penalties under art. 147 of the Spanish Criminal Code, the line between an offence and a minor offence, and why the suspension under art. 80 usually avoids actual imprisonment.
Can I Leave Spain if I Am Under Investigation in a Criminal Case?
Being under investigation does not, as a rule, stop you from leaving Spain. The restriction only exists if the judge orders it: passport retention, a ban…
Community Service Orders: What Happens If You Do Not Comply (or Are Never Called)
How community service (TBC) is managed, what happens if you are never summoned, justified absences, and when a breach becomes an offence under Art. 468 CP.
“Summoned by the Investigation Section of the Court of Instance”: What the New Bodies Are
What Spain's new Courts of Instance are, how the 2025 phased rollout worked and what the change means for complainants and suspects.
Time Limits on Criminal Investigations in Spain: Article 324 LECrim Explained
How long a Spanish criminal investigation can last: the 12-month limit of Article 324 LECrim, extensions, late investigative steps and whether the case is closed.
Crimes Against Justice Administration
False Testimony in Spain: What It Is and the Defence of Retraction
Lying under oath in Spain carries up to 3 years prison. We explain what false testimony is (Art.
Simulation of an Offence vs False Accusation: Differences and Penalties (2026)
Inventing a robbery to claim on insurance is NOT a false accusation, but simulation of an offence. We explain the vital difference between Arts.
Perjury & False Testimony: Defense Guide in Spain
Perjury and false testimony in Spain: when lying in court is a crime, penalties, and the key role of retraction before sentencing.
Military Criminal Law
Cybercrime
Artificial Intelligence and Criminal Proceedings: Evidence, Digital Identity and New Risks (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to the impact of AI and new technologies on criminal proceedings: cognitive attacks and deepfakes, post-quantum cryptography, eIDAS 2 digital identity, metaverse harassment and neuro-rights.
Criminal Liability for Deepfakes of Public Figures in Spain
Celebrities, politicians and athletes have become the preferred target of pornographic and propaganda deepfakes.
Deepfakes as Evidence in Spain: Digital Forensic Defence (2026)
Deepfakes are entering Spanish courts both as prosecution evidence and as a criminal instrument.
Industrial Espionage (Art. 278 CP) in Spain: Criminal Defence
Industrial espionage (Arts. 278-280 CP) protects trade secrets with penalties of up to 4 years in prison.
Bizum and WhatsApp Scams in Spain: How to Defend Yourself (Victim or Accused)
Bizum and WhatsApp scams: how to claim if you are a victim and how to defend yourself if you are accused of an online scam. Art. 248 CP. A practical 2026 guide.
What to Do If You Have Been Hacked in Spain: Complete Legal Guide (2026)
A step-by-step legal guide if your email, social media or phone has been hacked. How to report it, preserve evidence and claim damages. Arts.
Crypto Scams
Your Crypto Platform Loses Its Licence on 1 July 2026: What to Do
On 1 July 2026 the Spanish MiCA transition ends: only authorised CASPs may operate. How to check your platform and claim your funds if they are withheld.
Emerging Crypto-Asset Crimes: Digital Euro, Smart Contracts, DAOs and Influencers (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to the new criminal risks of the crypto ecosystem: the Digital Euro and money laundering, smart contracts with backdoors, liability in DAOs, influencer promotions and AI voice-cloning vishing.
Pig Butchering: the Romance and Crypto Investment Scam (2026)
Pig butchering: the scam that combines a fictitious emotional relationship with a fake cryptocurrency investment.
Recovering Money from a Cryptocurrency Scam: Legal Guide 2026
Have you been scammed with Bitcoin, fake investments or fraudulent trading platforms? We explain the real legal routes to recover your money and the…
Cryptocurrency and Money Laundering in Spain: Criminal Risks
Owning, trading, or transferring cryptocurrency in Spain carries criminal risks that many investors ignore.
DAOs: Criminal Liability in Decentralised Organisations
When a Decentralized Autonomous Organization commits a crime (laundering, fraud), who do we indict?
Knowledge is power, but strategy is key.
What you read here is just the beginning. Transform information into active defense by contacting our team of experts.