24-Hour Criminal Lawyer in Spain: Emergency Legal Help for Foreign Nationals

If you or a family member has been arrested in Spain, is under police investigation, or faces a criminal charge, you need specialist legal help immediately. Criminal proceedings in Spain move fast, and the first 24 to 72 hours are the most critical. RINBER Abogados Penalistas provides 24-hour emergency criminal defence across Spain, with English-speaking lawyers available around the clock.

Why the First Hours Matter So Much

Under Spanish law, a person who is arrested can be held in police custody for up to 72 hours before being brought before a judge. During this window, crucial decisions are made: whether you are released, placed under judicial supervision, or remanded in custody. Without a criminal lawyer present at every stage, you risk making statements that can later be used against you.

Rights of Foreign Nationals Under Arrest in Spain

• Right to consular notification: Spanish authorities must inform the consulate or embassy of your country of your arrest (Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, Art. 36).
• Right to an interpreter: if you do not speak Spanish, you have the right to a free court-appointed interpreter at every stage of the proceedings.
• Right to a lawyer of your choice: you may designate a private criminal lawyer or request a duty lawyer appointed by the Bar Association.
• Right to remain silent: you do not have to answer police questions. Anything you say can be used against you.
• Right to know the charges: you must be informed in a language you understand of the reason for your arrest.

Common Criminal Situations Faced by Foreign Nationals in Spain

• Drug trafficking: whether at customs, ports, or as part of a wider operation, drug charges in Spain carry serious penalties.
• Sexual offences: allegations of sexual assault or abuse, increasingly complex in cross-cultural contexts.
• Money laundering and financial crime: Spanish courts have jurisdiction over international financial transactions passing through Spain.
• Extradition proceedings: red notices, European Arrest Warrants, and extradition requests handled before the Audiencia Nacional.
• Domestic violence: foreign nationals are not exempt from Spain strict domestic violence legislation (LO 1/2004).
• Fraud and cybercrime: increasingly common charges affecting foreign nationals operating businesses in Spain.

What Happens When You Call RINBER 24 Hours

1. An English-speaking criminal defence lawyer answers immediately.
2. We assess the urgency and gather the essential facts of your case.
3. We attend the police station, court, or place of custody without delay.
4. We ensure your rights are respected at every procedural step.
5. We advise you on whether to make a statement or exercise your right to silence.
6. We apply immediately for bail or any emergency protective measure available under Spanish law.

RINBER: Spain Criminal Defence Specialists

Led by Javier and Manuel Rincon Bernal, RINBER has over 25 years of experience defending clients in the most complex criminal cases across Spain, from the Audiencia Nacional to local courts in Malaga, Madrid, Marbella, and beyond. Our track record includes high-profile cases covered by national media and recognition as among Spain leading criminal defence lawyers.

Call now: +34 627 467 043 — Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Contact us online.

Why the First Hours Matter So Much

Under Spanish law (Ley de Enjuiciamiento Criminal, Art. 520), you have the right to a lawyer of your choice from the moment of your detention — not just the duty lawyer assigned by the court. This distinction is critical: the duty lawyer (abogado de oficio) is often unfamiliar with your specific case, may not speak your language fluently, and typically has very limited time to spend with you before your initial appearance.

What you say in those first hours — or what you sign — can determine the trajectory of your entire case. A confession or incriminating statement made to police without proper legal advice is extremely difficult to retract later. RINBER’s lawyers will advise you on whether to make a statement, what to say, and what to refuse — before you face any police questioning.

What RINBER Does in the First 24 Hours

• Immediate phone consultation — we advise you (or your family member) on your rights within minutes of calling.
• Police station attendance — if you have been detained, we attend the police station personally to be present during any questioning.
• Habeas corpus if needed — if we believe your detention is unlawful or you have been held beyond the legal 72-hour limit, we file for habeas corpus immediately.
• Initial court appearance — we represent you at the primera comparecencia before the investigating judge, where key decisions about bail, custody, and charges are made.
• Preventive measures — we argue against pre-trial detention (prisión provisional) and for the least restrictive measures: bail, reporting conditions, or passport surrender.

Common Situations We Handle Around the Clock

• DUI / drink driving arrest — challenging breathalyser readings, attending the police station, advising on whether to request a blood test.
• Drug trafficking charges — detained after a police operation, airport stop, or border check. We act immediately to review the legality of the search and seizure.
• Domestic violence allegations — in Spain, domestic violence charges trigger automatic protective orders that can remove you from your home that same night. Early intervention is essential.
• Sexual assault allegations — highly sensitive cases requiring immediate legal guidance on how to respond to police and protect your rights.
• Financial crime / fraud — early morning police raids (entrada y registro) on homes or businesses. We attend the premises during the search to ensure your rights are protected.
• Arrest warrants (Euroorden) — if you have been detained in Spain on a European Arrest Warrant, you have specific rights and strict procedural deadlines. We specialise in extradition defence.

How to Reach Us Right Now

Call +34 627 467 043 — this number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays. If you cannot call, WhatsApp the same number. We will call you back within minutes.

Tell us: your name, where you are (city/police station/court), and what you have been charged with or accused of. We will advise you immediately on what to do next and, if necessary, deploy a lawyer to your location.