Minor offences
Even if it is a simple trial, it can have consequences. We prepare you so that you arrive calm and with your defence well thought out.
What it involves
Minor offences (delitos leves) are the least serious criminal offences: small thefts, blows or minor injuries, threats, coercion or less serious insults. They are resolved in a simple trial, without a long prior investigation, in which the person making the complaint and the person reported each give their version and present their evidence before the judge.
Is this your case?
- You have received a summons to a minor offence trial and don't know what to bring.
- You had an altercation with a neighbour and now you have both reported each other.
- You are accused of taking a low-value item from a shop.
- You were insulted or pushed and want the judge to rule on it.
How we help
We prepare the trial with you: what to say, what documents and witnesses to bring and what might happen. We go with you to the hearing, question the witnesses and defend your position, whether you made the complaint or have been reported. If you don't speak Spanish well, we make sure you have an interpreter and that you understand everything that is decided. We can help you in Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight, French and English, at our offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona or online, wherever you are in Spain.
If the case is more serious, it may be dealt with as a fast-track trial, and if you disagree with the judgment, we help you with criminal appeals.
Frequently asked questions
- What exactly is a minor offence?
- It is the least serious category of offences, such as theft of low-value items, minor injuries, threats or less serious insults. They are tried in a simple trial and are usually punished with a fine, but they are still a criminal matter.
- Do I need a lawyer at a minor offence trial?
- It is not compulsory, but it is advisable. A lawyer knows what evidence to present, how to question the witnesses and how to avoid an unfair conviction or reduce the penalty.
- Does a minor offence affect my residence permit?
- It usually carries less weight than a full criminal offence, but it can have consequences in some immigration or nationality procedures. We explain how it affects you depending on your situation.
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Tell us about your case.
A first conversation — confidential and without obligation — to understand whether we can help, and how.
We speak Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight (Berber), French and English.