The Criminal Justice System in Spain-9788418244988

The Criminal Justice System in Spain Yolanda De Lucchi López-Tapia Mª Nieves Jiménez López Dirs.

Andrea Spada Jiménez Coord.

The Criminal Justice System in Spain

Colección: Manuales universitarios

Reservados todos los derechos. De conformidad con lo dispuesto en los arts. 270, 271 y 272 del Código Penal vigente, podrá ser castigado con pena de multa y privación de libertad quien reprodujere, plagiare, distribuyere o comunicare públicamente, en todo o en parte, una obra literaria, artística o científica, fijada en cualquier tipo de soporte, sin la autorización de los titulares de los correspondientes derechos de propiedad intelectual o de sus cesionarios.

© 2022 Los autores © 2022 A telier Santa Dorotea 8, 08004 Barcelona e-mail: editorial@atelierlibros.es www.atelierlibrosjuridicos.com Tel. 93 295 45 60 I.S.B.N.: 978-84-18244-98-8 Depósito legal: B 5805-2022 Diseño y composición: A ddenda, Pau Claris 92, 08010 Barcelona www.addenda.es Impresión: Winihard Gràfics, Avda. del Prat 7, 08180 Moià

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

A bbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21

Organization of the judiciary chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24

Lesson 1. The principles of spanish criminal proceedings .

27

1. Criminal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27

2. General notions on the principles of spanish criminal proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1. The importance of the principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2. The location of the principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3. The notion of “principle” and its classifications . . . . . .

31 31 33 33

3. The principles of the spanish criminal proceedings . . . . .

3.1. Legal-natural principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.1. Audience, equality of arms, duality and jurisdictional guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.2. The fair trial principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.3. The accusatory or adversarial principle . . . . . . .

3.2. Legal-technical principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

36 36 36 38 40 43

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3.2.1. The search for objective truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.2. The officiality principle (which includes the legality, necessity and ex officio inquiry principles) 3.2.3. The opportunity principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.4. The proportionality principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.5. The burden of the proof rests on the prosecution .

3.2.6. The free assessment of evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.7. Care for the victim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3. Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3.1. Oral and written forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3.2. Publicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

44 45 46 47 47 48 49 49 50

Lesson 2. Criminal courts and the classification of mode trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

53

1. Criminal Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

53

2. The criteria for determining the jurisdiction of criminal courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1. Generic jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2. Extension and limits of criminal jurisdiction . . . . . . . .

2.3. Objective competence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4. Territorial competence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.5. Functional competence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.6. Procedural treatment of the lack of jurisdiction and competence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

43

63 64 65 68 73 74 75

3. Types of criminal proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1. Ordinary procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2. Abbreviated procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3. Procedure for minor offences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.4 Other procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

76 76 76 77 78

Lesson 3. Prosecutors and defendants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

81

1. Concept of parties in criminal proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . .

81

2. Classification of the parties in criminal proceedings . . . .

82

8

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3. Parties to the criminal proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1. Prosecuting parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.1. The Public Prosecutor’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.2. The particular prosecution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.3. The popular prosecution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.4. The private prosecution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2. Capacity and representation of the prosecuting parties .

3.3. Defendants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3.1. Different designations of the defendant depending on the time of the criminal proceedings . . . . . . .

3.3.2. Natural or legal persons as a defendant . . . . . . .

3.3.3. Standing and representation of the defendant in criminal proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

83 83 83 85 86 89 90 90

4. Civil procedural parties in criminal proceedings . . . . . . .

4.1. The civil actor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.2. The civil party responsible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

94 94 94

Lesson 4. Procedural safeguards for suspects and accused persons and victims’ rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

97

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

97

2. Common rights recognized for all parties . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1. The right to effective protection of the judges and the courts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.1. The right to use the relevant evidence . . . . . . . .

2.1.2. The right to a reasoned and motivated ruling . .

2.1.3. The intangibility of the rulings . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.4. The right of access to an appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.5. The right to enforcement of final judgments . . .

2.2. The right to a proceeding with full guarantees . . . . . . .

2.2.1. The right to an impartial judge . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.2. The right to immediacy and contradiction . . . .

2.2.3. The right to equality of arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.4. The right of access to the ordinary judge predetermined by law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

99

9

90 91 92

99 99 100 100 101 101 101 101 102 102 103

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2.3. The right to criminal legality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 2.4. The right to defence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 2.5. The right to a proceeding without undue delay . . . . . . 105

3. The rights of suspects and accused persons . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1. The right to a proceeding with full of guarantees . . . . .

3.1.1. The prohibition of general inquiries (inquisito generalis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.2. The exclusionary rule of evidence obtained by means that violate fundamental rights . . . . . . .

3.1.3. The impossibility of condemning an acquitted person or aggravating the conviction in second instance or cassation in certain circumstances .

3.1.4. The accusatory principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2. The right of defence and its instrumental rights . . . . . .

3.2.1. The right to information about rights . . . . . . . . .

3.2.2. The right to be informed about the charges and accusation against them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.3. The right of access to the materials of the case .

3.2.4. The right of access to a lawyer and to legal aid . .

3.2.5. The right to remain silent and the right not to incriminate oneself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.6. The right to interpretation and translation . . . .

3.2.7. The right to be present at the trial . . . . . . . . . . .

3.4. R ight to the presumption of innocence and in dubio pro reo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.5. The right to non bis in idem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.6. The right to a double degree of jurisdiction . . . . . . . . .

105 107 107 107

108 108 109 109 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117

4. Special rights of arrested or detained persons . . . . . . . . . . 118 5. The Rights Of The Victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.1. State of play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.2. Specific victim’s rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.2.1. Right to access justice (an aspect of the right to effective judicial protection). Ius ut procedatur . . .

5.2.2. The right to participate in the proceedings . . . .

10

119 119 119 119 120

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5.2.3. The right to understand and be understood . . . . 121 5.2.4. The right to receive information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 5.2.5. The right of access to legal aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Lesson 5. Initiation of the criminal prosecution.

Different stages of the proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 1. The pre-trial phase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1. Concept and purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2. Legal nature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3. General rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.4. Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

123 123 126 128 131

2. Subjects of the instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1. Competent judicial body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2. Public Prosecutor’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3. Judicial police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4. Under investigation or prosecution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

133 133 133 135 138

3. Acts of initiation of the investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1. Own-initiative procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2. Initiation at the request of a party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.1. Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.2. Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.3. Police statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

138 138 139 139 141 144

4. Different stages of proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Lesson 6. Investigation of criminal offences: investigative measures limiting fundamental rights . . .

147

1. Basic concepts about the investigation of criminal offences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1. Concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2. Classification of investigative measures . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3. Value of results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

147 147 148 149

2. International protection of fundamental rights arising from investigative measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 11

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3. Fundamental rights under the spanish constitution and requirements to affect them by an investigative measure . 150 4. Investigative measures limiting fundamental rights . . . . .

4.1. Entering and searching premises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.2. Searching books and papers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.3. Seizure and opening of written and telegraphic correspondence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.4. Bodily inspection, examination or intervention . . . . . .

4.5. Technological investigative measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

152 152 156 157 159 161

Lesson 7. Investigation of criminal offences: investigative measures not limiting Fundamental R ights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 1. Investigative measures not limiting fundamental rights . .

1.1. Main concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2. Investigative measures that do not affect fundamental rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.1. Visual inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.2. The corpus delicti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.3. Investigative measures relating to the identity of the offender and their personal circumstances .

1.2.4. The declaration of the party under investigation .

1.2.5. Witness statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.6. The confrontation of witnesses and accused . . .

1.2.7. The expert report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.8. Controlled movement or delivery of toxic drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances and other banned substances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.9. The undercover agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

169 169 170 170 172 175 178 180 183 184

186 186

Lesson 8. Precautionary and protective measures during the proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 1. Purpose and general conditions for the application of precautionary and protective measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 12

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2. Precautionary and protective measures in personam during criminal proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1. Arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.1. The power to arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.2. The detention clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.3. Rights of the detainee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.4. Challenge of an unlawful arrest. The habeas corpus proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2. Remand in custody or pre-trial detention . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.1. Requirements for the pretrial detention . . . . . . .

2.2.2. Duration of the pretrial detention . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.3. Pretrial detention modalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.4. Compensation for wrongful pretrial detention . .

2.3. Provisional release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4. Protective measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.1. Restraining orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.2. Protection order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.3. The European Protection Order . . . . . . . . . . . . .

192 192 192 194 196 198 201 201 202 203 203 204 205 205 206 208

3. Precautionary measures in rem during criminal proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Lesson 9. Pre-trial and indictment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 2. Acts prior to the beginning of the pre-trial phase . . . . . .

2.1. The indictment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.1. Indictment in ordinary proceedings . . . . . . . . . .

2.1.2. Indictment in fast-track proceedings . . . . . . . . .

2.1.3. Effects of the indictment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2. The conclusion of the investigation phase . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.1. Ordinary proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.2. Fast-track proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

212 213 214 215 215 216 216 217

3. The pre-trial phase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 3.1. Competence, beginning and end of the pre-trial phase. . 218

13

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3.2. Proceedings in the pre-trial phase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.1. In ordinary proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.2. In fast-track proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3. Dismissal of the proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3.1. Full dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3.2. Provisional dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3.3. Complete or partial dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3.4. Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.4. Order for the opening of the oral trial . . . . . . . . . . . . .

219 219 220 222 222 223 224 224 225

4. Acts after the pre-trial phase. the trial phase . . . . . . . . . .

4.1. Articles of pre-trial proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.2. Preliminary questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.3. Writs of classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.3.1. Concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.3.2. Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.3.3. Positions of defendant in the statement of charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

226 226 228 229 229 230 231

5. Admission and inadmissibility of the proposed evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Lesson 10. The hearing, the use of evidence in court, the termination of proceedings and res judicata . . . . . . 233 1. The hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1. Concept of the hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2 Preparation for the hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.1. Preparatory acts to ensure the concentration of the hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.2. Ruling on the limitation of the publicity of oral proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3. Conduct of the hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.1. Precondition for the holding of the hearing: the necessary presence of the defendant . . . . . . .

1.3.2. Beginning of the sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.3. The practice of the test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

233 233 234 234 235 237 237 238 239

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1.3.3.1. The defendant’s statement . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.3.2. Examination of witnesses . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.3.3. Expert evidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.3.4. Documentary evidence . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.3.5. Ocular inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.4. Definitive conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.5. Presentation of the thesis by the judicial body . .

1.3.6. Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3.7. Right to the last word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.4. Conclusion of the hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.5. Suspension of the trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. Termination Of Proceedings: Special Reference To Conformity And Judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1. Provisional completion and final completion . . . . . . . .

2.2. Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.1. Concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.2. Formalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.2.1. Scope of application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.2.2. Procedural moments for the provision of conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.2.3. Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2.2.4. Judicial review of conformity . . . . . . . .

2.2.3. Conformity sentencing: effects and challenges .

2.3. The judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3.1. Concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3.2. Form of judgment: written or oral . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3.3. Structure of the judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3.4. Presumption of innocence and in dubio pro reo . .

2.3.4.1. The presumption of innocence . . . . . . .

2.3.4.2. The in dubio pro reo principle . . . . . . .

2.3.5. Correlation between indictment and sentence: congruence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

239 240 242 243 243 244 245 246 247 247 247 248 248 249 249 250 250 250 251 251 251 252 252 252 253 253 254 255 256

3. Res judicata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

15

Lesson 11. A ppeals and other remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 1. General aspects of appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1. Concept and definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2. Classification of appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.1. Reconsideration appeals and appeals to a higher court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2.2. Ordinary and extraordinary appeals . . . . . . . . .

1.2.3. Appeals against interlocutory decisions and against final decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

262

2. Appeals against interlocutory decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1. Recourse of reconsideration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2. Appeal for reversal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3. Appeal of complaint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3.2. Instruments of the appeal of complaint . . . . . . .

2.3.3. Appeal of complaint with a time limit . . . . . . . .

2.4. Recourse to appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.1. Appeal in ordinary proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.2. Appeal in the summary procedure . . . . . . . . . .

262 263 264 264 265 265 266 266 267

3. Appeals against final decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1. Appeals and the second instance in criminal cases . . . .

3.1.1. Appealable decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.2. Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.3. Grounds for appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.4. Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2. The appeal in cassation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.1. Appealable decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.2. Grounds for appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.3. Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

267 268 268 269 269 271 272 273 274 275

4. Appealing final judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.1. Appeal for judicial review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.2. Action for annulment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.3. Incident of invalid proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

277 278 280 281

259 259 261 261 261

PREFACE The book you are holding is a brief but complete handbook, written by both lecturers of Procedural Law at the University of Malaga and practitioners in law, with the ambitious objective of giving you an insight into the workings of the justice administration system and an understanding of the fundamental concepts related to the criminal justice process. It is intended to be of interest to all of those of you who, due to varying circumstances, have a connection with the criminal justice system in Spain.

Thus, it could be said that it is the ideal book for expats residing in Spain who might not have a thorough command of Spanish or a complete understanding of how the criminal justice system works in Spain. The aim of this book is to breakdown the common language barriers in this field. As we all know, understanding the whys and wherefores of Spanish legal documents and being able to make oneself understood when discussing legal matters has always been a challenging affair for all those involved.

But, as well as this, this book is also an ideal way to bring Spanish criminal proceedings closer to those people who come into contact with the administration of criminal justice, either because they are practising lawyers defending the interests of

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Yolanda De Lucchi López-Tapia / María Nieves Jiménez López

their English-speaking clients and need the necessary language to explain how our criminal justice system works, or maybe because they work as investigators, defendants, prosecuting parties, interpreters or translators and need concise and concrete information on what they will come across in crime —related proceedings.

Last but not least, this book is also intended to be a teaching tool for all those students and lecturers who face the difficult task of teaching/learning law through English (English as a medium of instruction, EMI). The process of internationalizing Spanish universities has entered a second phase in recent years.

Now that academic mobility programmes are commonplace and have been successfully implemented, internationalisation is now heading towards incorporating a comprehensive and ambitious language policy, of which teaching in English plays an important role. This movement has come about due to a variety of causes: academic, political and economic.

Not only do universities need to adapt to the curricular requirements established by the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), but also, they should be seen to be participating in the construction and configuration of a new European citizenship based on a cosmopolitan spirit. One of the great difficulties faced by students, nowadays, is the lack of written materials to facilitate the task of learning law-related terms.

The book is structured in eleven lessons related to the different stages of the proceedings that are involved in procedural law, from the pre-trial phase in which the police investigate the crime and where pretrial detention can occur, through to the trial itself, with the possibility of reviewing the ruling by appeal and other alternatives. It also contains a brief explanation of court organization and the people involved.

We hope “The Spanish Criminal Justice System” will be useful for the purposes for which it was written, to serve as an eye-opening guide on criminal justice to all legal operators who need to know about and explain the Spanish criminal procedure 18

Preface

in English; as well as for students and teachers of the Spanish criminal procedure system who need to understand the knowledge of this subject in an international context.

Yolanda De Lucchi López-Tapia María Nieves Jiménez López Málaga, February, 1st 2022

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