Fast trials: less waiting to judge crimes and minor offenses

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The law creates a special process to quickly try certain crimes, when the police have arrested someone or summoned them to appear before the on-duty court. It applies to flagrant crimes, to a closed list of crimes (assault, theft, robbery, traffic safety crimes, among others) and to acts whose investigation is simple.
2. The key to the new system is concentrating the entire investigation before the on-duty court, within very short deadlines, so the trial arrives soon. Judicial police gain new duties and the Public Prosecutor's Office takes on a leading role.
3. The abbreviated procedure, used for most crimes, is also reformed: appeals and the conformity regime are adjusted, meaning the defendant's agreement with the requested sentence.
4. Trials for minor offenses (faltas) are also sped up: in many cases they can be held before the on-duty court itself within a few hours, even less than twenty-four, from the moment the court learns of the act.
5. The law responds to a real problem: delays in criminal proceedings allow some defendants to escape justice or repeat criminal conduct, creating a sense of impunity.
6. The system is designed for all judicial districts in Spain, not just large cities, and must be accompanied by the necessary staff and material resources.
7. The law enters into force six months after its publication in the Official State Gazette. Cases already started continue under the previous rules.

Who it affects

• People arrested or summoned by the police as reported for certain crimes: Their case can be investigated and tried within very short deadlines before the on-duty court.
• Victims and those harmed by crimes: They must be informed in writing of their rights and of the trial date, even if they do not join the case.
• Judicial police: They take on new duties: summoning the parties, gathering evidence and coordinating with the on-duty court.
• On-duty courts and the Public Prosecutor's Office: They concentrate the investigation and gain a leading role in speeding up proceedings.
• Witnesses and experts: They must appear when summoned; if they do not, they can be fined.

Words worth knowing

Delito flagrante (flagrant crime)

A crime being committed or just committed, where the offender is caught in the act or immediately pursued afterward.

Juzgado de guardia (on-duty court)

The court that each day handles urgent matters arising outside regular hours.

Conformidad (conformity)

The defendant's agreement to accept the facts and the sentence requested by the prosecution, allowing a sentence without a full trial.

Procedimiento abreviado (abbreviated procedure)

A simpler procedural track than the ordinary one, used to try most less serious crimes.

Atestado policial (police report)

A document the police write recording what they saw, investigated and did regarding a criminal act.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries