Arrested In Spain? Outstanding Arrest Warrant? We Can Help

• Published date: 26 November 2020
• Subject Matter: Criminal Law, Crime
• Law Firm: Giambrone & Partners
• Author: Mr Angel Moncada Diaz

Many British people travel abroad on holiday and give little thought to the laws and the legal system of the country they are visiting, assuming that everything is probably the same as at home, particularly if they are holidaying in Europe. This can and does, of course, lead to misunderstandings, particularly if there is a language barrier, and it is not at all uncommon for a tourist to be arrested without having a clear idea of the offence. There can be few experiences that are more upsetting than being arrested with little or no understanding of the situation and no clear way of finding any help.

Giambrone's criminal team Spain point out that many European countries do not tolerate some types of behaviour or dress that is commonplace in the UK, for example, dress codes in the street, in some parts of Spain for example, including Barcelona, it is illegal to wear bikinis or shorts in the street away from the beach.

Nobody goes on holiday expecting to be arrested, however, it could equally be said that the likelihood of having an accident is similarly slender but the vast majority of travellers insure against the possibility. It would not be an unreasonable precaution to find out something about the laws in the country you are visiting, even if you have visited many times before. Spain has changed in the law surrounding sexual offences in 2019, significantly increasing the custodial penalties, in response to the case in 2016 known as the "wolf pack case."

Angel Moncada Diaz, a senior associate in the Barcelona office, commented "should you be arrested in Spain it is imperative to that you obtain the services of an English speaking lawyer, this may...