Art. 15 CP
Completed offence and attempt
Both the completed offence and the attempt are punishable.
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Theory of crime · Articles 15-18 CP · Throughout Spain
Attempt and preparatory acts
Starting is not completing: the degree of execution lowers the sentence by one or two degrees.
Not every stage on the way to an offence is punished alike. Articles 15 to 18 of the Spanish Criminal Code distinguish attempt, withdrawal and punishable preparatory acts (conspiracy, proposal, provocation). The degree of execution reached directly determines the sentence.
In brief. attempt (Art. 16 CP) is punished one or two degrees below the completed offence (Art. 62). Voluntary withdrawal (Art. 16.2) exempts from the attempt. Preparatory acts — conspiracy, proposal and provocation (Arts. 17-18) — are punishable only in the cases the law provides. The degree of execution is a major lever of defence.
Key facts
16
Definition of attempt and of exempting voluntary withdrawal.
62
Attempt: sentence one or two degrees below the completed offence.
24h
English-speaking lawyer, defence on the degree of execution throughout Spain.
From the plan to completion
Attempt requires a commencement of execution. The perpetrator performs all or part of the acts that should produce the result, which does not occur for reasons beyond their control (Art. 16). The sentence is reduced by one or two degrees.
Withdrawal can erase the attempt. Someone who voluntarily avoids completion or prevents the result is not punished for the attempt (Art. 16.2), except for acts already committed that themselves constitute an offence.
Preparatory acts are the exception. Conspiracy, proposal and provocation (Arts. 17-18) are punishable only where the law expressly provides, with a sentence mitigated relative to the intended offence.
What we argue
The degrees of execution
Art. 16.1 CP
Attempt
Commencement of execution without result, for reasons beyond the will.
Art. 16.2 CP
Voluntary withdrawal
Voluntarily avoiding completion: exemption from the attempt.
Art. 16.3 CP
Withdrawal in participation
Preventing the result despite others’ involvement: possible exemption.
Art. 62 CP
Sentence for attempt
One or two degrees lower, by the danger and degree of execution.
Art. 17 CP
Conspiracy and proposal
Punishable only in the cases expressly provided.
Art. 18 CP
Provocation and apology
Publicly inciting an offence: punishable in the cases provided.
Art. 16.1 CP
Unfinished attempt
Partial acts of execution: a larger sentence reduction.
Art. 62 CP
Impossible offence
Unfit means or object: bearing on punishability.
Effects
Overview of the degrees of execution
| Stage | Article | Effect on sentence | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed offence | 15 | Statutory sentence | Result produced |
| Finished attempt | 16.1 / 62 | One degree lower | All acts performed |
| Unfinished attempt | 16.1 / 62 | Two degrees lower | Partial acts |
| Voluntary withdrawal | 16.2 | Exemption from attempt | Free renunciation |
| Conspiracy | 17 | Mitigated sentence | Cases provided by law |
| Proposal | 17 | Mitigated sentence | Cases provided by law |
| Provocation | 18 | Mitigated sentence | Public incitement |
| Simple preparatory acts | — | Not punishable | Outside statutory cases |
Indicative elements based on the Spanish Criminal Code. The reduction depends on the inherent danger and the degree of execution reached. This overview does not replace a lawyer’s analysis.
Our difference
Degree of execution means one or two degrees of sentence
Qualifying the attempt reduces the sentence. Distinguishing a finished from an unfinished attempt, or establishing a voluntary withdrawal, lowers the sentence by one or two degrees — or erases it for the attempt.
We examine each act performed. The exact point where execution stopped, the spontaneity of the renunciation and the real suitability of the means used determine punishability and sentence.
01
Qualifying the degree of execution reached
02
Establishing exempting voluntary withdrawal
03
Challenging the punishability of preparatory acts
04
Applying the one- or two-degree reduction
How we act
A structured defence at every stage
Phase 01
Analysis of the acts actually performed
Phase 02
Qualifying the attempt or the withdrawal
Phase 03
Plea on the degree and sentence reduction
Phase 04
Sentence individualisation at judgment
Who we represent
Very different situations
D
People under investigation
People accused of an uncompleted offence whose degree of execution is disputed.
R
Those who renounced
People who voluntarily prevented the result and invoke withdrawal.
P
Co-defendants
Participants in a collective attempt whose roles must be distinguished.
F
Families
Relatives seeking to understand the impact of the degree of execution.
Related
Related pages
FAQ
What you should know
Is attempt punished like the completed offence?
No. Article 62 imposes a sentence one or two degrees lower, by the danger inherent in the attempt and the degree of execution reached.
Does withdrawal exempt?
Yes. Someone who voluntarily avoids completion or prevents the result is not punished for the attempt (Art. 16.2), except for acts already constituting another offence.
Finished vs unfinished attempt?
In a finished attempt the perpetrator performed all the acts; unfinished, only part. The latter in principle brings a larger reduction.
Are preparatory acts punished?
Only conspiracy, proposal and provocation (Arts. 17-18), and only in the cases the law expressly provides.
What is an impossible offence?
An attempt with unfit means or on a non-existent object; its punishability depends on the danger actually created.
Why is this decisive?
Because the degree of execution can halve the sentence. The firm assists 24/7 in Spain.
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