How to Report a Crime: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Being the victim of a crime is a traumatic experience. To the confusion of the moment is added a lack of knowledge of the legal process. Do I go to the police or to the court? Do I need a lawyer? What papers do I bring? In this guide we explain how to report a crime properly so that your case moves forward. Our criminal lawyers in Madrid can help you with this type of situation.

Where Can I File a Report?

You have 3 main options, all of them valid:

1. Law enforcement (National Police, Guardia Civil, regional police forces): the fastest and most common option for urgent crimes (robberies, assaults). Go to the nearest police station.
2. Duty Court: you can file the report directly at the court. This is advisable for economic or complex crimes (fraud, corporate crimes) where you are providing a lot of documentation.
3. Public Prosecutor's Office: less common, but possible.

Online reporting: the National Police allows certain crimes to be reported online (theft, criminal damage), but BEWARE: you must go to ratify and sign it at the police station within 72 hours. If you do not, it has no effect.

What to Bring When Reporting

The more evidence you provide at the start, the better:

• ID document/passport: essential to identify you.
• Medical reports: if there have been injuries, go to the hospital FIRST and bring the injury report.
• Items: torn clothing, the object used to attack you (if you have it).
• Documents: bank statements (fraud), emails, WhatsApp screenshots (threats), invoices for the stolen items.
• Witness details: the name and phone number of anyone who saw what happened.

The Reporting Process at the Police Station

1. Triage: on arrival, you will briefly explain what happened.
2. Waiting: depending on the urgency and the queue, you may wait for hours. Be patient.
3. Statement: an officer will take your statement. Recount the facts chronologically. Be precise. If you do not remember something, say "I do not remember" — do not make things up.
4. Reading and signing: READ the report before signing. If something is not written correctly, ask for it to be changed. Request a COPY for yourself.

What Happens After Reporting?

The police will investigate the facts and send the report to the court.

• If they identify the perpetrator, they will arrest or summon them.
• The court will summon you to ratify the report (to confirm that you still wish to proceed) and, possibly, will make the Offer of Actions (whether you wish to claim compensation and be a party to the proceedings).
• If they do not find the perpetrator within a certain time, they will provisionally shelve the case until new evidence emerges.

Can I Withdraw a Report?

It depends on the offence:

• Private/semi-private offences: (e.g. insults) if you forgive, the proceedings end.
• Public offences: (e.g. robbery, bodily harm, gender violence) even if you "withdraw" the report, the prosecutor can continue ex officio if there is evidence. The report is not "yours"; it is a notification to the State of a crime.

Beware of False Reports

Reporting facts that you know to be untrue (e.g. saying your phone was stolen with violence so the insurer pays out, when you actually lost it) is an offence of simulation of an offence. The police investigate, and if you are caught, you will be the one who ends up with a criminal record.