Art. 28 CP
Direct principal
The person who materially carries out the act, alone.
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Theory of crime · Articles 27-31 CP · Throughout Spain
Principals and participation
Being present is not being guilty to the same degree: principal, accessory or bystander, the distinction is worth years.
Who answers for the offence, and in what capacity? Articles 27 to 31 of the Spanish Criminal Code distinguish the principal, the co-principal, the indirect principal, the inducer, the necessary cooperator and the mere accessory. The exact role determines the sentence — and is often the heart of the defence.
In brief. Articles 27-31 CP distinguish principals (Art. 28: direct principal, co-principal, indirect principal, inducer and necessary cooperator) from mere accessories (Art. 29), who receive a sentence one degree lower. Article 31 governs acting on behalf of another. The exact qualification of each person’s role is decisive for the sentence.
Key facts
28
Article defining principals, inducers and necessary cooperators.
29
Accessories: sentence one degree below that of principals.
24h
English-speaking lawyer, requalifying the role throughout Spain.
Each answers for their role
The law grades liability by contribution. The principal carries out the act; the necessary cooperator makes an indispensable contribution; the accessory provides secondary help. This gradation directly commands the sentence.
The line is often thin. Distinguishing the necessary cooperator (punished as a principal) from the mere accessory (one degree lower) is a recurring question of fact and law, decisive for the outcome.
Inducement and acting for another have their own regime. The inducer who directly determines another answers as a principal (Art. 28); Article 31 attributes the act to the person acting as director or representative of a legal entity.
What we qualify
The forms of participation
Art. 28 CP
Co-principal
Joint execution within a common plan.
Art. 28 CP
Indirect principal
Using another person as an instrument to commit the act.
Art. 28 a) CP
Inducer
Directly determining another to commit the offence: principal’s sentence.
Art. 28 b) CP
Necessary cooperator
Indispensable contribution to the act: punished as a principal.
Art. 29 CP
Accessory
Secondary, non-indispensable help: sentence one degree lower.
Art. 30 CP
Offences via the media
Tiered liability regime for the press and publishing.
Art. 31 CP
Acting on behalf of another
The director or representative answers for the act committed for the company.
Art. 31 bis CP
Legal entity
The company’s own criminal liability, distinct from the director’s.
Effects
Overview of roles and sentences
| Role | Article | Sentence | Key criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct principal | 28 | Statutory sentence | Material execution |
| Co-principal | 28 | Statutory sentence | Common plan |
| Indirect principal | 28 | Statutory sentence | Control of the act |
| Inducer | 28 a) | Principal’s sentence | Direct determination |
| Necessary cooperator | 28 b) | Principal’s sentence | Indispensable contribution |
| Accessory | 29 | One degree lower | Secondary help |
| Acting for another | 31 | Statutory sentence | Director capacity |
| Legal entity | 31 bis | Fine / bans | Lack of controls |
Indicative elements based on the Spanish Criminal Code. The sentence depends on the exact qualification of the role and the circumstances. This overview does not replace a lawyer’s analysis.
Our difference
Accessory or cooperator: one degree, several years
The qualification of the role is a major issue. Requalifying a necessary cooperator as a mere accessory lowers the sentence by one degree; establishing mere passive presence may exclude any liability.
We analyse each person’s real contribution. Whether the help was indispensable or secondary, whether a common plan existed or control of the act was absent determines the capacity — and the sentence — of the accused.
01
Precise analysis of each participant’s contribution
02
Requalifying the necessary cooperator as an accessory
03
Challenging inducement and the common plan
04
Separate defence of the director and the legal entity
How we act
A structured defence at every stage
Phase 01
Analysis of the facts and attributed roles
Phase 02
Investigation and reconstruction of contributions
Phase 03
Plea on the qualification of the role
Phase 04
Sentence individualisation by the capacity retained
Who we represent
Very different situations
D
Co-defendants
People prosecuted alongside others whose exact role is in dispute.
C
Secondary participants
People accused of complicity or cooperation to be contested or requalified.
E
Directors
Representatives prosecuted for acts committed on behalf of a company.
F
Families
Relatives seeking to understand the degree of liability at stake.
Related
Related pages
FAQ
What you should know
What is the difference between a principal and an accessory?
The principal carries out or controls the act; the accessory provides secondary, non-indispensable help and receives a sentence one degree lower (Art. 29).
What is a necessary cooperator?
Someone whose contribution is indispensable to the commission of the act (Art. 28 b); they are punished as a principal, hence the importance of requalifying them as an accessory.
Is the inducer a principal?
Yes. Someone who directly determines another to commit the offence answers as a principal (Art. 28 a), to be distinguished from mere influence.
Is mere presence enough to convict?
No. Passive presence, without contribution or agreement, does not ground punishable participation; it is a frequent line of defence.
Does the director answer for the company’s acts?
They may, under Article 31, and the company itself under Article 31 bis, under distinct regimes.
How is the qualification of the role contested?
By analysing the real contribution of each person. The firm assists 24/7 in Spain.
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