Criminal lawyer
on the Costa del Sol

• Marbella, Nueva Andalucía, Puerto Banús and San Pedro Alcántara.
• Estepona and the western coast towards the Campo de Gibraltar.
• Fuengirola and Mijas, with large British and Nordic communities.
• Torremolinos and Benalmádena, the first tourist strip west of Málaga.
• Málaga city, where the office is.

• Arrests and fast-track trials at the duty court, often within hours.
• Drink-driving and other road traffic offences: with more than 0.60 mg/l in breath, the penalty includes a driving ban of one to four years.
• Assaults and incidents in bars and nightlife.
• Domestic violence complaints and restraining orders.
• Drug offences and property and investment fraud.

For a foreign resident, a conviction that looks minor can affect residence permits, nationality applications or the person's situation in their home country. Those consequences are assessed before any plea agreement.

I am on holiday and have been charged. Must I come back for the trial?

It depends. In fast-track trials the matter can sometimes be resolved before leaving. In other cases appearances by video link can be requested, or the trial can be held in absence when the sentence sought allows it.

Can a conviction in Spain affect me in the UK or elsewhere?

It can. Convictions may be shared between countries and can affect travel, employment checks or residence. They should be considered before accepting any plea.