Art. 169 CP
Threat of an offence
Announcing harm amounting to an offence: prison, aggravated if conditional.
info@societejuridique.com
Madrid: Paseo de la Castellana 216 8 ª Planta
Alicante: Av. Ansaldo Nº31, local 16
24h emergencies: 669 30 21 13
Threats · Coercion · Alicante
Threats and coercion lawyer in Alicante
A message, a gesture, pressure: the line between conflict and offence turns on the words.
Threats, coercion and harassment in Alicante: Articles 169 to 172 of the Spanish Criminal Code punish announcing harm, imposing conduct by force or harassing a person. Context, seriousness and intent are central to an English-speaking defence before the courts of Alicante.
In brief. threats (Arts. 169-171) punish announcing a future harm, whether or not it amounts to an offence, and conditional threats. Coercion (Art. 172) punishes forcibly imposing conduct, and harassment (Art. 172 ter) obsessive stalking. Severity, the seriousness of the announcement and the context determine the qualification, heard in Alicante.
Key facts
169
Threat of harm amounting to an offence: prison sentence.
172 ter
Harassment (stalking): obsessive tracking and surveillance.
24h
English-speaking lawyer in Alicante, immediate assistance.
What the law punishes
A threat requires a serious announcement. Article 169 targets announcing future harm; its severity depends on whether the harm amounts to an offence, and on its credible and serious nature, assessed in context.
Coercion imposes conduct. Article 172 punishes anyone who, by violence, prevents another from doing what the law does not forbid, or forces them to do what they do not want.
Harassment stands alone. Article 172 ter punishes obsessive tracking — surveillance, insistent contact — that seriously alters the victim’s daily life.
What we defend
Threats, coercion and harassment
Art. 170 CP
Threat to a group
Threat directed at a group of the population: aggravated penalty.
Art. 171 CP
Threat of non-criminal harm
Conditional threat of non-criminal harm: fine or prison.
Art. 171.4 CP
Threat against a relation
Minor threat to a spouse or vulnerable relation: specific penalty.
Art. 172 CP
Coercion
Imposing conduct by force: prison or fine.
Art. 172.2 CP
Coercion of a relation
Minor coercion of a spouse: specific penalty.
Art. 172 ter CP
Harassment (stalking)
Insistent tracking seriously altering daily life.
Art. 172 bis CP
Forced marriage
Compelling a person to marry.
Conflict
Mere conflict
A dispute or a heated expression is not always a threat.
Penalty framework
Indicative overview
| Offence | Article | Penalty framework | Key aggravating factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threat of an offence | 169 | 6 months – 5 years | Conditional threat |
| Threat to a group | 170 | Aggravated penalty | Collective reach |
| Threat of non-criminal harm | 171 | 3 months – 1 year or fine | Blackmail |
| Threat against a relation | 171.4 | 6 months – 1 year | Family context |
| Coercion | 172 | 6 months – 3 years or fine | Violence used |
| Coercion of a relation | 172.2 | 6 months – 1 year | Presence of minors |
| Harassment (stalking) | 172 ter | 3 months – 2 years | Alteration of daily life |
| Forced marriage | 172 bis | 6 months – 3.5 years | Coercion or deception |
Indicative figures based on the Spanish Criminal Code. The penalty depends on severity, context and seriousness. This table does not replace a lawyer’s analysis.
Our difference
A heated word is not always a threat
Context makes the qualification. An expression uttered in anger, without credibility or real intent to intimidate, does not necessarily amount to a punishable threat.
We analyse the digital evidence. Messages, audio and screenshots are placed back in context: tone, reciprocity and chronology often allow the threat or harassment to be ruled out.
01
Analysis of the context and seriousness of the announcement
02
Handling of digital evidence (messages, social media)
03
Distinguishing ordinary conflict from an offence
04
Defence of the accused or of the victim
How we act
A structured defence at every stage
Phase 01
Police custody and first statements
Phase 02
Investigation and analysis of the evidence
Phase 03
Challenge to the qualification
Phase 04
Trial in Alicante and any measures
Who we represent
In Alicante and around
D
People under investigation
People accused of threats or coercion following a conflict.
V
Victims
People threatened or harassed seeking protection and reparation.
E
Neighbours and partners
Neighbour or business disputes escalating into accusations.
R
Foreign residents
English-speakers facing proceedings for threats in Alicante.
Related
Related pages
FAQ
What you should know
Is an angry message a criminal threat?
Not always. A threat requires a serious and credible announcement of harm; context and real intent are decisive.
Difference between threat and coercion?
A threat announces future harm (Arts. 169-171); coercion forcibly imposes immediate conduct (Art. 172).
What is harassment (stalking)?
Insistent tracking — surveillance, repeated contact — that seriously alters the victim’s daily life (Art. 172 ter).
Are screenshots enough to convict?
They must be authenticated and placed in context; their integrity and meaning can be challenged.
Is a threat within a couple aggravated?
Yes. Articles 171.4 and 172.2 provide a specific regime for threats and coercion against a spouse or relation.
What to do if charged?
Keep the exchanges and contact the firm, available 24/7 in Alicante and on the Costa Blanca.
Speak to a criminal lawyer
In a fast-track case, the days you have are the case.
Criminal defence in English before the courts of Alicante and the rest of Spain, for residents and for visitors who have flown home.
Paseo De La Castellana 216 8º 28046 Madrid
Alicante – Playa de San Juan Av. Ansaldo 31, local 16, 03540 Alicante
Londres: 20 Wenlock Road, N1 7GU, Reino Unido
París: 72 Faubourg St Honoré, 75008, Francia
info@societejuridique.com
SERVICIOS
ENLACES
Société de Conseil Juridique et Expert es un despacho de abogados con sedes en Madrid, Alicante, Londres y París, especializado en defensa y acusación penal, delitos económicos y corporativos y derecho tecnológico. Trabajamos con orientación estratégica en procedimientos penales complejos, propiedad intelectual y análisis forense avanzado, y prestamos consultoría jurídica, compliance y escudos de protección a particulares y empresas. Atendemos desde Alicante y Madrid, con consulta online en toda España y asistencia al detenido 24 horas. Resuelva sus dudas en las preguntas frecuentes o solicite una primera consulta.
Copyright © 2026 Société de Conseil Juridique et Expert S.L.
Sedes y delegaciones: Alicante·El Campello·Madrid
Tambien actuamos en: San Juan de Alicante·Benidorm·Elche·Torrevieja·Orihuela·Alcoy·San Vicente·Elda·Denia·Villajoyosa·Villena·Novelda·Ibi·Murcia
Tambien actuamos en: San Juan de Alicante·Benidorm·Elche·Torrevieja·Orihuela·Alcoy·San Vicente·Elda·Denia·Villajoyosa·Villena·Novelda·Ibi·Murcia
Defensa por delitos: Alcoholemias·Robos y hurtos·Lesiones·Agresión sexual·Amenazas·Okupas·Homicidios·Antecedentes penales