A brawl, an altercation, an injury: the severity of the harm decides everything, from a fine to prison.
Assault, blows and bodily harm in Alicante and on the Costa Blanca: Articles 147 to 156 of the Spanish Criminal Code grade the penalty by severity, the means used and the after-effects. English-speaking defence, from police custody and before the courts of Alicante, is decisive.
In brief. bodily harm (Arts. 147-156 CP) ranges from mere ill-treatment to aggravated injury. Basic injury (Art. 147) requires medical or surgical treatment; Articles 148-150 aggravate by the means, cruelty or loss of an organ. The forensic report and self-defence are central to a defence heard in Alicante.
Injury differs from mere ill-treatment. Article 147.1 requires, beyond first aid, medical or surgical treatment; failing that, the act is mere ill-treatment (Art. 147.3), far less severely punished.
Aggravating factors change the scale. The use of weapons or dangerous objects, cruelty or the victim’s vulnerability (Art. 148), the loss of an organ or a sense (Art. 149) sharply raise the penalty.
Self-defence is argued. In an altercation, establishing the initial attack, the necessity of the reaction and the absence of provocation may lead to exemption or its incomplete form.
| Offence | Article | Penalty framework | Key aggravating factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic injury | 147.1 | 3 months – 3 years | Medical treatment needed |
| Ill-treatment | 147.3 | Fine | Repetition |
| Aggravated injury | 148 | 2 – 5 years | Weapon or cruelty |
| Loss of a main organ | 149 | 6 – 12 years | Mutilation |
| Loss of a non-main organ | 150 | 3 – 6 years | Disfigurement |
| Injury by negligence | 152 | Prison or fine | Gross negligence |
| Violence against a relation | 153 | 6 months – 1 year | Presence of minors |
| Affray | 154 | 3 months – 1 year | Dangerous means |
Indicative figures based on the Spanish Criminal Code. The penalty depends on severity, means and after-effects. This table does not replace a lawyer’s analysis.
Qualification depends on the after-effects. The need for medical treatment, the nature of the injuries and their duration determine the applicable article. The forensic report can be disputed and counter-assessed.
We reconstruct the altercation. In Alicante, many cases arise from a mutual brawl: establishing who started the attack and pleading self-defence radically changes the outcome.
Alleged perpetrators of an altercation or brawl in Alicante.
Injured persons seeking reparation and to join as a private prosecution.
Visitors involved in a night-time altercation.
English-speakers facing proceedings for assault.
Speak to a criminal lawyer
Criminal defence in English before the courts of Alicante and the rest of Spain, for residents and for visitors who have flown home.